Probiotic Streptococcus thermophilus FP4 and Bifidobacterium breve BR03 Supplementation Attenuates Performance and Range-of-Motion Decrements Following Muscle Damaging Exercise

Abstract

Probiotics have immunomodulatory effects. However, little is known about the potential benefit of probiotics on the inflammation subsequent to strenuous exercise. In a double-blind, randomized, placebo controlled, crossover design separated by a 21-day washout, 15 healthy resistance-trained men ingested an encapsulated probiotic Streptococcus (S.) thermophilus FP4 and Bifidobacterium (B.) breve BR03 at 5 bn live cells (AFU) concentration each, or a placebo, daily for 3 weeks prior to muscle-damaging exercise (ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02520583). Isometric strength, muscle soreness, range of motion and girth, and blood interleukin-6 (IL-6) and creatine kinase (CK) concentrations were measured from pre- to 72 h post-exercise. Statistical analysis was via mixed models and magnitude-based inference to the standardized difference. Probiotic supplementation resulted in an overall decrease in circulating IL-6, which was sustained to 48 h post-exercise. In addition, probiotic supplementation likely enhanced isometric average peak torque production at 24 to 72 h into the recovery period following exercise (probiotic–placebo point effect ±90% CI: 24 h, 11% ± 7%; 48 h, 12% ± 18%; 72 h, 8% ± 8%). Probiotics also likely moderately increased resting arm angle at 24 h (2.4% ± 2.0%) and 48 h (1.9% ± 1.9%) following exercise, but effects on soreness and flexed arm angle and CK were unclear. These data suggest that dietary supplementation with probiotic strains S. thermophilus FP4 and B. breve BR03 attenuates performance decrements and muscle tension in the days following muscle-damaging exercise.

The effects of combined probiotic ingestion and circuit training on muscular strength and power and cytokine responses in young males

“…The combined effect of probiotic and exercise which lead to improvement in muscular strength and power was also reported in the previous study (Georges et al 2014;Jäger et al 2016).…”

“…The diversity of microbiota composition whether in a multi-strain probiotic or in a single strain probiotic has been proposed as a supplement as it can modulate the anti-inflammatory (i.e., IL-10) and pro-(i.e., IL-6) cytokines in the body to promote a better health over the course of training (Jäger et al 2016;Pedersen et al 2001). The mechanisms of probiotics that actually help to regulate inflammation include (1) indirect effects by boosting the production of short chain fatty acids with anti-inflammatory properties (Vinolo et al 2011), increasing the synthesis of antimicrobial peptides that influence inflammation resolution pathways in the mucosa (Schlee et al 2008), as well as protecting or repairing epithelial barriers (Bermudez-Brito et al 2012;Thomas and Versalovic 2010), and (2) direct effects by binding with the innate immune receptors (Thomas and Versalovic 2010) and triggering pathways that will cause the production of cytokines related with the inflammation (Jeon et al 2012).…”

Probiotic Supplements Beneficially Affect Tryptophan–Kynurenine Metabolism and Reduce the Incidence of Upper Respiratory Tract Infections in Trained Athletes: A Randomized, Double-Blinded, Placebo-Controlled Trial

“…Exercise and associated dietary extremes were shown to increase gut microbial diversity in comparison to sedentary people [27]. Some studies have established that probiotic intake can improve low-grade inflammation [28,29] and enhance resistance to URTI in athletes [30,31,32]. In a previous study, Lamprecht and colleagues found that adequate probiotic supplementation composed of six strains consisting of Bifidobacterium bifidum W23, Bifidobacterium lactis W51, Enterococcus faecium W54, Lactobacillus acidophilus W22, Lactobacillus brevis W63, and Lactococcus lactis W58 could improve redox hemostasis and low-grade inflammation in men under sustained exercise stress [29].…”

Functional Value of Amaranth as Applied to Sports Nutrition

“…This kind of amaranth product would provide large amounts of fibre for the development of gut microbiota, being also a source of vegetable protein. Clinical studies with protein and probiotics (whey + probiotics) showed improved recovery (diminished exerciseinduced muscle damage) in recreationally trained males [63], as well as an improved strength restoration [64], compared to only protein (whey: probably the most widely used protein powder). Further research should be carried to study if this behaviour is mimicked when vegetal proteins (like amaranth's) are used, compared to that of milk (whey).…”