Abstract

Psychological stress negatively affects the intestinal barrier function in animals and humans. We aimed to study the effect of Lactobacillus rhamnosus CNCM I-3690 on intestinal permeability and stress-markers during public speech. Healthy students were randomized to L. rhamnosus-containing (test) or acidified (placebo) milk consumed twice daily for 4 weeks, with 46 subjects per treatment group. Small intestinal permeability was quantified by a 2 h urinary lactulose-mannitol ratio (LMR, primary outcome), fractional excretion of lactulose (FEL) and mannitol (FEM). Salivary cortisol, State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) and Perceived Stress scores (PSS) were collected. No between-treatment differences were found for LMR (p = .71), FEL or FEM. Within-treatment analyses showed similar LMR and FEL but a stress-induced increase of FEM with the placebo (p < .05) but not test product. Despite a similar increase in salivary cortisol, the stress-induced increase in STAI was significantly lower with the test product vs. placebo (p = .01). Moreover, a stress-preventative effect of the probiotic was found for PSS and more pronounced in subjects with high stress-induced cortisol (p = .01). While increased FEM was mediated by salivary cortisol levels, the effect of the test product on subjective stress was not mediated by changes in FEM. No serious adverse events occurred. In conclusion, we demonstrated that L. rhamnosus CNCM I-3690 prevented stress-induced hyperpermeability to mannitol. Subjective but not objective stress-markers were reduced with L. rhamnosus vs. placebo, suggesting anxiolytic effects, which were independent of barrier stabilization and attractive for the reduction of stress in both health and disease. Clinicaltrials.gov, number NCT03408691.

Abstract

Probiotics are suggested to impact physiological and psychological stress responses by acting on the gut-brain axis. We investigated if a probiotic product containing Bifidobacterium longum R0175, Lactobacillus helveticus R0052 and Lactiplantibacillus plantarum R1012 affected stress processing in a double-blinded, randomised, placebo-controlled, crossover proof-of-concept study (NCT03615651). Twenty-two healthy subjects (24.2 ± 3.4 years, 6 men/16 women) underwent a probiotic and placebo intervention for 4 weeks each, separated by a 4-week washout period. Subjects were examined by functional magnetic resonance imaging while performing the Montreal Imaging Stress Task (MIST) as well as an autonomic nervous system function assessment during the Stroop task. Reduced activation in regions of the lateral orbital and ventral cingulate gyri was observed after probiotic intervention compared to placebo. Significantly increased functional connectivity was found between the upper limbic region and medioventral area. Interestingly, probiotic intervention seemed to predominantly affect the initial stress response. Salivary cortisol secretion during the task was not altered. Probiotic intervention did not affect cognitive performance and autonomic nervous system function during Stroop. The probiotic intervention was able to subtly alter brain activity and functional connectivity in regions known to regulate emotion and stress responses. These findings support the potential of probiotics as a non-pharmaceutical treatment modality for stress-related disorders.

Abstract

BACKGROUND Stroke is a clinical syndrome of localized or global brain dysfunction caused by cerebrovascular disease. AIM: The aim of this study was to explore the effect of vitamin C acid stimulation on the rehabilitation process, Nourishment State Index and immune function indicators of stroke patients with dysphagia. DESIGN This is a prospective cohort study. SETTING This study was conducted at our hospital. POPULATION We analyzed stroke patients with dysphagia. METHODS A total of 120 stroke patients with dysphagia were randomly divided into a routine group and a test group, with 60 cases in each group. Routine swallowing training was performed in the routine group, and the test group was stimulated with vitamin C acid. The water swallow test (WST) and video fluoroscopic swallowing study (VFSS) were used to compare the rehabilitation of dysphagia in the two groups. Nourishment State Index was evaluated by BMI, serum albumin, total serum protein and hemoglobin. Immune Function Index was evaluated by IgA, IgM and IgG. RESULTS Compared with the control group, the WST level of patients treated with vitamin C acid stimulation intervention were significantly reduced, and the VFSS score were significantly increased. Serum levels of hemoglobin, albumin, total protein, IgA, IgM and IgG in the vitamin C acid stimulation group were remarkably increased than those in the control group. CONCLUSIONS Vitamin C acid stimulation exhibits a good application effect in patients with dysphagia after stroke. Moreover, vitamin C acid stimulation can further improve the nutritional status and immune function after stroke and promote postoperative recovery of patients. Therefore, we believe that vitamin C stimulation therapy can be widely used in stroke rehabilitation management. CLINICAL REHABILITATION IMPACT Vitamin C acid stimulation significantly improves rehabilitation of stroke patients with dysphagia and ameliorates the nutritional status and immune function of patients.

Abstract

Chronic psychological stress can result in physiological and mental health risks via the activation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, sympathoadrenal activity and emotion-focused coping strategies. The impact of different stress loads on cardiometabolic risk is poorly understood. This post hoc analysis of a randomized pilot study was conducted on 61 participants (18-65 years of age) with perceived chronic stress. The Perceived Stress Questionnaire (PSQ30), Psychological Neurological Questionnaire (PNF), anthropometric, clinical and blood parameters were assessed. Subjects were assigned to 'high stress' (HS; PSQ30 score: 0.573 ± 0.057) and 'very high stress' (VHS; PSQ30 score: 0.771 ± 0.069) groups based on the PSQ30. Morning salivary cortisol and CRP were elevated in both groups. Visceral adiposity, elevated blood pressure and metabolic syndrome were significantly more frequent in the HS group vs. the VHS group. The fatty liver index (FLI) was higher (p = 0.045), while the PNF score was lower (p < 0.001) in the HS group. The HS group was comprised of more smokers (p = 0.016). Energy intake and physical activity levels were similar in both groups. Thus, high chronic stress was related to visceral adiposity, FLI, elevated blood pressure and metabolic syndrome in the HS group, while very high chronic stress was associated with psychological-neurological symptoms and a lower cardiometabolic risk in the VHS group, probably due to different coping strategies.

Abstract

Advances in technology have led to an increased number of studies investigating the microbiome in patients with psoriasis. This systematic review examined data regarding the oral and gut microbiota in patients with psoriasis and/or psoriatic arthritis and the effect of probiotics on the microbiota and severity of psoriasis. Of 1,643 studies, 23 were included (22 observational, 1 interventional). Studies examined the microbiota using culture or 16S rRNA gene sequencing analysis. All culture-based studies identified an increased presence of oral Candida in patients with psoriasis, whereas small variations in the oral microbiota were found in a 16S rRNA gene-based study. All 16S rRNA gene sequencing based studies agreed that the gut microbiota of patients with psoriatic disease differed from that of healthy controls, but the results were heterogeneous. Probiotics were associated with a significant improvement in the severity of psoriasis, but did not change microbiota. Overall, studies lacked relevant inclusion criteria and baseline information. In conclusion, the role of the microbiota in patients with psoriasis requires further investigation using more robust methods.

Abstract

The study purpose was to determine the relationship of resting heart rate variability (HRV) and testosterone to cortisol (T:C) ratio, along with the diagnostic ability of HRV to assess changes in T:C ratio during a 9-week high-intensity functional training intervention. Eight recreationally-active men (n = 4, age 24.25 ± 1.75 yrs, height 181.25 ± 3.86 cm, weight 79.68 ± 11.66 kg) and women (n = 4, age 26 ± 3.6 yrs, height 164.25 ± 3.3, weight 73.4 ± 8.42) completed daily HRV measurements (HRVdaily) using photoplethysmography via a commercially-available smartphone application along with weekly saliva samples. Saliva samples were analyzed for concentrations of testosterone (T) and cortisol (C) via enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. Upon study completion 72 data points were available, due to participant compliance and inadequate saliva sample, 67 matched pairs of HRV and T:C ratio were analyzed. A statistically significant negative relationship (n = 67, r = -.315, p < 0.05) was found between HRVdaily and saliva T:C ratio concentrations within aggregate data. Individual participant relationships showed considerable variability (r = -0.101 - 0.665, p = 0.103 to 0.829 The model which best explained the data resulted in AIC = 130.247 with factors HRVdaily (β = -0.218, 95%CI = -0.391, -0.044, t = -2.46, p < 0.05), Sex (β = 0.450, 95%CI = -0.214, 1.114, t = 1.113, p = 0.242), and Group (β = -0.394, 95%CI = -1.089, 0.302, t = -1.11, p = 0.311). Diagnostically, HRVdaily demonstrates excellent sensitivity (95%), but poor specificity (5%) for detecting meaningful changes in T:C ratio. Assessment of HRVdaily may be a clinically valid proxy measure for monitoring hormonal changes throughout a training intervention.

Abstract

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (CFS/ME) is a severe multisystemic disease characterized by immunological abnormalities and dysfunction of energy metabolism. Recent evidences suggest strong correlations between dysbiosis and pathological condition. The present research explored the composition of the intestinal and oral microbiota in CFS/ME patients as compared to healthy controls. The fecal metabolomic profile of a subgroup of CFS/ME patients was also compared with the one of healthy controls. The fecal and salivary bacterial composition in CFS/ME patients was investigated by Illumina sequencing of 16S rRNA gene amplicons. The metabolomic analysis was performed by an UHPLC-MS. The fecal microbiota of CFS/ME patients showed a reduction of Lachnospiraceae, particularly Anaerostipes, and an increased abundance of genera Bacteroides and Phascolarctobacterium compared to the non-CFS/ME groups. The oral microbiota of CFS/ME patients showed an increase of Rothia dentocariosa. The fecal metabolomic profile of CFS/ME patients revealed high levels of glutamic acid and argininosuccinic acid, together with a decrease of alpha-tocopherol. Our results reveal microbial signatures of dysbiosis in the intestinal microbiota of CFS/ME patients. Further studies are needed to better understand if the microbial composition changes are cause or consequence of the onset of CFS/ME and if they are related to any of the several secondary symptoms.

Abstract

Older adults are at increased risk for vitamin and mineral deficiencies that contribute to age-related immune system decline. Several lines of evidence suggest that taking a multi-vitamin and mineral supplement (MVM) could improve immune function in individuals 55 and older. To test this hypothesis, we provided healthy older adults with either an MVM supplement formulated to improve immune function (Redoxon® VI, Singapore) or an identical, inactive placebo control to take daily for 12 weeks. Prior to and after treatment, we measured (1) their blood mineral and vitamin status (i.e., vitamin C, zinc and vitamin D); (2) immune function (i.e., whole blood bacterial killing activity, neutrophil phagocytic activity, and reactive oxygen species production); (3) immune status (salivary IgA and plasma cytokine/chemokine levels); and (4) self-reported health status. MVM supplementation improved vitamin C and zinc status in blood and self-reported health-status without altering measures of immune function or status or vitamin D levels, suggesting that healthy older adults may benefit from MVM supplementation. Further development of functional assays and larger study populations should improve detection of specific changes in immune function after supplementation in healthy older adults. Clinical Trials Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov #NCT02876315.

Abstract

Probiotics are microorganisms that provide health benefits when consumed. In animals, probiotics reverse gut microbiome-related alterations in depression-like symptoms, in cognition, and in hormonal stress response. However, in humans, a causal understanding of the gut-brain link in emotion and cognition is lacking. Additionally, whether the effects of probiotics on neurocognition are visible only in presence of stress, remains unclear. We investigated the effects of a multispecies probiotic (Ecologic®Barrier) on specific neurocognitive measures of emotion reactivity, emotion regulation, and cognitive control using fMRI. Critically, we also tested whether probiotics can buffer against the detrimental effects of acute stress on working memory. In a double blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, between-subjects intervention study, 58 healthy participants were tested once before and once after a 28-day intervention. Without stress induction, probiotics did not affect brain, behavioral, or related self-report measures. However, relative to placebo, the probiotics group did show a significant stress-related increase in working memory performance after supplementation. This change was associated with intervention-related neural changes in frontal cortex during cognitive control exclusively in the probiotics group. Overall, our results show neurocognitive effects of a multispecies probiotic in healthy women only under challenging situations, buffering against the detrimental effects of stress on cognition.

Abstract

The role of taste perception, its relationship with oral microbiota composition, and their putative link with eating habits and food intake were the focus of the present study. A sample of 59 reportedly healthy adults (27 male, 32 female; age: 23.3 ± 2.6 years) were recruited for the study and taste thresholds for basic tastes, food intake, and oral microbiota composition were evaluated. Differences in taste perception were associated with different habitual food consumption (i.e., frequency) and actual intake. Subjects who were orally hyposensitive to salty taste reported consuming more bakery and salty baked products, saturated-fat-rich products, and soft drinks than hypersensitive subjects. Subjects hyposensitive to sweet taste reported consuming more frequently sweets and desserts than the hypersensitive group. Moreover, subjects hypersensitive to bitter taste showed higher total energy and carbohydrate intakes compared to those who perceived the solution as less bitter. Some bacterial taxa on tongue dorsum were associated with gustatory functions and with vegetable-rich (e.g., Prevotella) or protein/fat-rich diets (e.g., Clostridia). Future studies will be pivotal to confirm the hypothesis and the potential exploitation of oral microbiome as biomarker of long-term consumption of healthy or unhealthy diets.