Influence of a combination of Lactobacillus acidophilus NCFM and lactitol on healthy elderly: intestinal and immune parameters
Open accessAbstract
With increasing age, a number of physiological changes take place which are reflected in immune and bowel function. These changes may relate to the commonly assumed age-related changes in intestinal microbiota; most noticeably a reduction in bifidobacteria. The current study aimed at modifying the intestinal microbiota with a potential synbiotic on selected immune and microbiota markers. Healthy elderly subjects were randomised to consume during 2 weeks either a placebo (sucrose) or a combination of lactitol and Lactobacillus acidophilus NCFM twice daily in a double-blind parallel trial. After the intervention, stool frequency was higher in the synbiotic group than in the placebo group and a significant increase in faecal L. acidophilus NCFM levels was observed in the synbiotic group, after baseline correction. In contrast to the generally held opinion, the study subjects had faecal Bifidobacterium levels that were similar to those reported in healthy young adults. These levels were, nevertheless, significantly increased by the intervention. Levels of SCFA were not changed significantly. Of the measured immune markers, PGE2 levels were different between treatments and IgA levels changed over time. These changes were modest which may relate to the fact that the volunteers were healthy. Spermidine levels changed over time which may suggest an improved mucosal integrity and intestinal motility. The results suggest that consumption of lactitol combined with L. acidophilus NCFM twice daily may improve some markers of the intestinal microbiota composition and mucosal functions.
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In patients with diabetes or metabolic syndrome, fitness is inversely associated with inflammation, independent of fatness.
“Studies in patients with diabetes (237) or the metabolic syndrome (238,239) have consistently demonstrated inverse associations between fitness and inflammation, independently of fatness.”
From Dietary factors and low-grade inflammation in relation to overweight and obesity (2011) · cites this paper as [238]
Independent associations of fitness with inflammation are more prominent in metabolic syndrome patients than in healthy participants.
“In one study, the independent associations of fitness were in fact more prominent among metabolic syndrome patients compared with healthy participants (238,239) .”
From Dietary factors and low-grade inflammation in relation to overweight and obesity (2011) · cites this paper as [238]
Host gut microorganisms include resident and allochthonous microorganisms (probiotics) that can modulate intestinal ecosystems together and ameliorate gut barrier function and immune response.
“In this respect, host gut microorganisms comprise both resident or autochthonous microorganisms and allochthonous microorganisms that can be externally applied (i.e., probiotics) and transiently members of the microbiota. Therefore, they can modulate the intestinal ecosystems together and thus ameliorate the function of the gut barrier and the immune response [18].”
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Self-citation
- Authors
- Ouwehand, A. C., Tiihonen, K., Saarinen, M., Putaala, H., & Rautonen, N.
- Corresponding author
- Ouwehand, Arthur C.
- Venue
- British Journal Of Nutrition
- Publisher
- Cambridge University Press (CUP)
- Published
- 2008-07-18
- Volume
- 101
- Issue
- 3
- Pages
- 367-375
- ISSN
- 0007-1145 (ISSN-L)
- 1475-2662
- OpenAlex
- W2163248301
- Cited by
- 170
- References
- 36
- Citations by year
- 2026: 2 · 2025: 4 · 2024: 5 · 2023: 7 · 2022: 9 · 2021: 11 · 2020: 11 · 2019: 10 · 2018: 7 · 2017: 12 · 2016: 9 · 2015: 13 · 2014: 10 · 2013: 9 · 2012: 12
- FWCI
- 20.84
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- bronze
- doi.org
- Locations
- British Journal Of Nutrition (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Funders
- Tekes
- Topics
- Life Sciences › Agricultural and Biological Sciences › Food Science › Probiotics and Fermented Foods
- Health Sciences › Nursing › Nutrition and Dietetics › Microbial Metabolites in Food Biotechnology
- Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Molecular Biology › Gut microbiota and health
- Keywords
- Lactobacillus acidophilus NCFM, lactitol, synbiotics, older adults, gut microbiota, Bifidobacterium, short-chain fatty acids, prostaglandin E2, IgA, spermidine, intestinal motility, mucosal integrity, fecal bacteria, age-related changes
- MeSH terms
- Aged, Ammonia, Analysis of Variance, Bifidobacterium, Cathartics, Fatty Acids, Feces, Female, Flow Cytometry, Humans, Immunoglobulin A, Intestinal Mucosa, Intestines, Lactobacillus acidophilus, Male, Spermidine, Sugar Alcohols, Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha, Colony Count, Microbial, Dinoprostone, Biomarkers, Lactic Acid, Probiotics, Leukocyte L1 Antigen Complex
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