Probiotics Supplementation Improves Intestinal Permeability, Obesity Index and Metabolic Biomarkers in Elderly Thai Subjects: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Abstract

Intestinal integrity prevents the diffusion of allergens, toxins, and pathogens from the gastrointestinal lumen into the tissue and the circulatory system. Damage in intestinal integrity may cause mild to serious health issues, such as inflammation, gastrointestinal disorders, neurological diseases, and neurodegenerative disorders. Thus, maintaining a healthy intestinal barrier function is essential to sustain health. Probiotics are known for their ability to protect and restore intestinal permeability in vitro and in vivo. The multi-strain probiotics are more efficient than that of a single strain in terms of their protective efficacy. Therefore, the present study was planned and implemented to study the supplementation of probiotic mix (Lactobacillus paracasei HII01, Bifidobacteriumbreve, and Bifidobacterium longum) on intestinal permeability, lipid profile, obesity index and metabolic biomarkers in elderly Thai subjects. The results revealed that the supplementation of studied probiotics improved the intestinal barrier function (up to 48%), significantly increasing the high-density lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol. Moreover, the intervention improved obesity-related anthropometric biomarkers and short-chain fatty acid levels in human subjects. The current study strongly recommends further extended research to confirm the beneficial effect of probiotics, which may pave the way to formulate probiotic-based health supplements to adjuvant the treatment of several metabolic diseases.

Beneficial Effects of Anti-Inflammatory Diet in Modulating Gut Microbiota and Controlling Obesity

“…An RCT reported in 2022 revealed that supplementation of the studied probiotics significantly improved the function of the intestinal barrier, leading to a significant reduction in concentrations of lipopolysaccharides (LPS). It also substantially increased HDL-cholesterol and SCFA levels (propionic and butyric acid) and improved obesity-related biomarkers [ 142 ]. Treatment with multispecies probiotics changed the biochemical, physiological, and immunological parameters of the gut microbiota in postmenopausal women with obesity but did not affect diversity or taxonomic classification [ 143 ].…”

Dietary intervention in depression – a review

“…51 When administered in sufficient amounts, they can exert various benefits, including regulating the gut microbiota, reducing the serum cholesterol, modulating the immune response, and repairing the cognitive impairment. 52,53…”

A Multi-Strain Probiotic Formulation Improves Intestinal Barrier Function by the Modulation of Tight and Adherent Junction Proteins

“…Several studies reported that probiotics—particularly Lactobacilli and Bifidobacteria reduce symptoms associated with leaky gut by reducing inflammation, improving the intestinal barrier function, and by promoting the rapid restoration of the gut microbiota [ 27 , 28 , 29 , 30 , 31 ].…”