Probiotics linked to lower oxidative stress

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Formerly only shown in mouse studies, this soon-to-be-published human

study links probiotics to reduced biomarkers of oxidative stress,

better antioxidant status.

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Link:

http://www.nutraingredients.com/news/ng.asp?n=82418 & m=1NIE109 & c=lqeudkujayvvlpc

Full text:

Pre- and probiotic combo linked to better antioxidant status

By ls

09/01/2008- Supplements of pre- and probiotics can reduce levels of

biomarkers linked to oxidative stress, suggests new results from an EU

study.

The synbiotic formulation containing oligofructose prebiotics

(Beneo-Orafti) and a mixture of Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium

probiotics was associated with a reduction in oxidation of LDL, linked

to, amongst other things, the development of atherosclerosis or

hardening of the arteries.

" The improvement in biomarkers of anti-oxidative activity seen with

the synbiotic supplementation in this study is promising and warrants

further research, especially since high oxidative stress is known to

cause harm to our bodies, " said Dr. Anne Franck, vice president of

research and development at the Beneo-Group.

Talking to NutraIngredients.com, Dr. Franck confirmed that this is the

first time that a link between prebiotics (and synbiotics) and

oxidative stress has been reported in humans, despite previous being

demonstrated in rodents.

Results of the study - the EU and MicroFunction Project - were

presented recently at the University of Ulster at last year's

Nutrition Society meeting and the abstract is published in Proceedings

of the Nutrition Society. The full results - not seen by

NutraIngredients.com - are set to be published in a peer-reviewed

journal in the coming months, said Dr. Franck.

The randomised, double-blind (cross-over), placebo-controlled trial

included fifty-three healthy Estonian adults. The subjects were

randomly assigned to receive either the daily supplements of

oligofructose (Orafti P95, 6.6 g/day) and probiotics (Lactobacillus

fermentum ME-3, Lactobacillus paracasei 8700:2 and Bifidobacterium

longum 46) or placebo (maltodextrin) for three weeks.

The researchers, from the University of Reading (UK), the University of

Tartu (Estonia) and Orafti, report that the total antioxidant activity

of the subjects receiving the synbiotic supplements was higher than

the corresponding placebo subjects: 42.4 versus 41.9 per cent,

respectively.

Furthermore, levels of oxidation of LDL were reduced in the synbiotic

group, compared to placebo, reported the researchers (12.6 compared to

14.6 micromoles, respectively.

Faecal measures of bifidobacteria were also higher after synbiotic

supplementation, compared to placebo, and the researchers report that

these increases were more pronounced when baseline levels were low

before starting supplementation.

Significantly, higher faecal butyrate concentrations were reported

with the synbiotic (10.0 vs. 8.1 mm for the placebo).

" The improvement in antioxidative-stress biomarkers and the increase

in both bifidobacteria and butyrate on ingestion of the test synbiotic

in this prophylactic study may warrant further research in diseases in

which oxidative stress plays a role (such as CVD) or in populations in

which the gut microbiota composition has been disturbed, " concluded

the researchers.

Dr. Franck confirmed to this website that the company was continuing

to support studies in this area, with a focus on obesity, metabolic

syndrome and healthy ageing.

The EU and MicroFunction Project was established through a network of

extensive collaborations between eight partners from seven different

countries, and supported by the European Commission.

Source: Proceedings of the Nutrition Society

2007, Volume 66, Page 101A

" Effects of a synbiotic on biomarkers of oxidative stress and faecal

microbiota in healthy adults: results of a cross-over double-blind

placebo-controlled trial "

Authors: D.M.A. Saulnier, P. Hutt, M. Mikelsaar, D. Bosscher, G.

Gibson, S. Kolida