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Cited by 34Probiotics and Fermented FoodsGut microbiota and healthGastrointestinal motility and disorders

Effect of a multistrain probiotic (Lactoflorene® plus) on inflammatory parameters and microbiota composition in subjects with stress-related symptoms

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Soldi, Sara, Tagliacarne, Sara Carlotta, Valsecchi, Chiara, Perna, Simone, Rondanelli, Mariangela, Ziviani, Luigi, Milleri, Stefano, Annoni, Ariella +1 more·2019·Neurobiology of Stress
DOI 10.1016/j.ynstr.2018.11.001PMC PMC6430185
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Abstract

Stress affects the immune system and intestinal microbiota composition and can lead to imbalance between pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines or to uncontrolled production of cytokines. The effect of emotional stress on secretory IgA levels also indicates that stress decreases mucosal integrity. Our aim was to evaluate whether a probiotic product (Lactoflorene® Plus) can prevent alterations in the immune response associated with self-reported stress and microbiota composition. Healthy adult volunteers who self-reported psychological stress were enrolled and randomised into a placebo and a probiotic group. Salivary stress markers (α-amylase, cortisol, chromogranin A) and immunological parameters (sIgA, NK cell activity, IL-8, IL-10, TNF-α) in feces and the composition of intestinal microbiota were evaluated. Administration of the product did not exert a direct effect on the salivary stress markers or NK cell activity but did reduce abdominal pain and increase faecal IgA and IL-10 levels. The probiotic product induced a moderate increase in Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus spp., as expected, and in Faecalibacterium spp., and decreased the size of the Dialister spp. and Escherichia and Shigella populations. Administration of the product helped protect the mucosal barrier by supporting the number of short-chain fatty acid producers and decreasing the load of potentially harmful bacteria, thus reducing intestinal inflammation and abdominal discomfort. NCT03234452.

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  • Lactoflorene® Plus induced a moderate increase in beneficial bacteria such as Bifidobacterium, Lactobacillus spp., and Faecalibacterium spp., while decreasing populations of potentially harmful bacteria including Dialister spp., Escherichia, and Shigella.

    “The probiotic product also induced a moderate increase in beneficial bacteria such as Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus spp. and Faecalibacterium spp., while decreasing populations of potentially harmful bacteria, including Dialister spp., Escherichia, and Shigella.”

    From Psychobiotics in mental health: insights from human clinical trials via the gut-brain axis (2026) · cites this paper as Soldi et al., 2019

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  • Soldi et al. (2019) and Wu et al. (2022) demonstrated changes in mucosal immunity (↑sIgA and IL-10) and cortisol regulation.

    “Soldi et al. (2019) and Wu et al. (2022) demonstrated changes in mucosal immunity (↑sIgA and IL-10) and cortisol regulation”

    From Psychobiotics in mental health: insights from human clinical trials via the gut-brain axis (2026) · cites this paper as Soldi et al. (2019)

    The Results (Secondary efficacy analysis; page unavailable) report an increase in IL-10 in the probiotic group, but it was not statistically significant (p = 0.12). The same section says salivary sIgA and cortisol did not differ significantly between probiotic and placebo groups; Table 3 identifies faecal IgA, not sIgA, as the IgA measure that increased significantly. Thus the claim overstates what Soldi et al. demonstrated. (LLM, conf=0.88)

    Experimental — accuracy not yet measured

  • Lactoflorene® Plus supported the mucosal barrier by promoting short-chain fatty acid producers and decreasing intestinal inflammation, which alleviated abdominal discomfort.

    “The administration of Lactoflorene® Plus helped to support the mucosal barrier by promoting short-chain fatty acid producers and decreasing intestinal inflammation, which, in turn, alleviated abdominal discomfort.”

    From Psychobiotics in mental health: insights from human clinical trials via the gut-brain axis (2026) · cites this paper as Soldi et al., 2019

  • Lactoflorene® Plus reduced abdominal pain, enhanced fecal sIgA levels, and increased IL-10 production.

    “it did reduce abdominal pain, enhance fecal sIgA levels, and increase IL-10 production.”

    From Psychobiotics in mental health: insights from human clinical trials via the gut-brain axis (2026) · cites this paper as Soldi et al., 2019

  • The anti-inflammatory and immunological effects of psychobiotics may play a role in alleviating mood disturbances, given the link between pro-inflammatory cytokines and neuropsychological symptoms.

    “Additionally, the anti-inflammatory and immunological effects of the psychobiotics may play a role in alleviating mood disturbances, given the well-established link between pro-inflammatory cytokines and neuropsychological symptoms (Soldi et al., 2019).”

    From Psychobiotics in mental health: insights from human clinical trials via the gut-brain axis (2026) · cites this paper as Soldi et al., 2019

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Cited by

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Authors
Soldi, S., Tagliacarne, S. C., Valsecchi, C., Perna, S., Rondanelli, M., Ziviani, L., Milleri, S., Annoni, A., & Castellazzi, A.
Affiliations
  • University of Pavia (IT)
  • Policlinico San Matteo Fondazione (IT)
  • University of Bahrain (BH)
Corresponding author
Soldi, Sara
ORCID
Venue
Neurobiology of Stress
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Published
2019-02
Volume
10
Pages
100138
ISSN
2352-2895 (ISSN-L)
DOI
10.1016/j.ynstr.2018.11.001
PMC
PMC6430185
OpenAlex
W2899991750
Cited by
34
References
10
Citations by year
2026: 5 · 2025: 4 · 2024: 2 · 2023: 5 · 2022: 3 · 2021: 10 · 2020: 3 · 2019: 1 · 2017: 1
FWCI
3.29
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
Locations
  • Neurobiology of Stress (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • Europe PMC (PubMed Central) (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • Archivio Istituzionale della Ricerca (Universita Degli Studi Di Milano) (submittedVersion, other-oa)
  • DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) (submittedVersion, cc-by-sa)
Funders
Montefarmaco OTC
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Agricultural and Biological Sciences › Food Science › Probiotics and Fermented Foods
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Molecular Biology › Gut microbiota and health
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Gastroenterology › Gastrointestinal motility and disorders
Keywords
multi-strain probiotics, psychological stress, gut microbiota, inflammatory cytokines, secretory IgA, mucosal barrier, NK cell cytotoxicity, alpha-amylase, cortisol, chromogranin A, Bifidobacterium, Lactobacillus, Faecalibacterium, Dialister, Escherichia-Shigella, short-chain fatty acids, abdominal pain, intestinal inflammation

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