Improvement of constipation and liver function by plant-derived lactic acid bacteria : A double-blind, randomized trial

Higashikawa Fumiko

Noda Masafumi

Awaya Tomokazu

Nomura Kazuhiro

Oku Hirotaka

Sugiyama Masanori

Nutrition

Objective: Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) contribute to human health; however, the probiotic properties vary among strains classified into the same species. The primary objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of yogurts made by different types of LAB on the gastrointestinal system. The yogurts are also evaluated by measuring serum lipid contents and liver functional indicators as secondary objective.

Methods: Healthy human adults (n=68) with some complaints with regard to intestinal health, including constipation and diarrhea, were randomly assigned to receive one of three types of yogurt in a double-blind manner: (type A) yogurt made by plant-derived LAB (mainly Lactobacillus (Lb.) plantarum SN35N); (type B) yogurt made by plant-derived LAB (mainly Lb. plantarum SN13T); (type C) yogurt made by animal-derived LAB (mainly Lactococcus lactis A6 and Streptococcus thermophilus 510) as a control. The subjects consumed 100g of yogurt daily for 6 weeks. Data were collected from clinical visits at 2-week intervals and by diaries used to record defecation and health conditions.

Results: Drastic and constant increments of defecation frequency in subjects with constipation were observed with type A and B yogurts but not with type C yogurt. Type B and C yogurts resulted in decreases in total and LDL cholesterol. The serum concentrations of liver functional parameters were improved by the type B yogurt (12-25% reduction).

Conclusions: The present study suggests that Lb. plantarum SN13T exhibits a superior probiotic effect on constipation in addition to improving the serum lipid contents and liver function.

Probiotics

Lactobacillus plantarum

Defecation

Cholesterol

gamma-Glutamyl transpeptidase

Medical sciences [ 490 ]

eng

Elsevier Science INC

Copyright (c) 2010 Elsevier B.V.

[ISSN] 0899-9007

[DOI] 10.1016/j.nut.2009.05.008

[NCID] AA10745727

[DOI] http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.nut.2009.05.008