Synbiotic combination of Bifidobacterium longum BB536 and lactulose improves the presenteeism of healthy adults associated with aromatic lactic acids - A single-arm, open-label study

Abstract

Gut microbiota and their metabolites are crucial for metabolic regulation, immunomodulation, and brain and mental functions via the brain-gut axis. Synbiotics offer an effective strategy for improving gut health by modulating gut microbiota, leading to improved physical and mental health. In the present study, an exploratory investigation into the effects of synbiotic yogurt on physical and mental health was conducted. Healthy adults consumed fermented milk containing Bifidobacterium longum subsp. longum BB536 (2 billion colony-forming units) and lactulose (4 g) daily for four weeks. Post-intervention, we observed an increase in bowel movement scores and improved life quality metrics, including both the WHO-HPQ absolute and relative presenteeism and the WHO-SUBI well-being score. In addition, significant increases in Bifidobacterium, butyric acid-producing bacteria, and various metabolites were observed. Furthermore, the well-being score correlated positively with Fusicatenibacter and short-chain fatty acids, whereas absolute presenteeism correlated positively with Bifidobacterium, aromatic lactic acids (ALAs), and homocysteine, and negatively with urocanic acid. Additionally, our analysis revealed that the presence of Bifidobacterium and aromatic amino acids in the gut influenced ALA production. The results indicate that synbiotic yogurt may improve bowel movement and life satisfaction, highlighting the importance of gut microbiota-derived metabolites in promoting overall well-being.

Keywords

• Synbiotics
• gut microbiota
• QOL
• presenteeism
• aromatic lactic acids