Improvement in Lactose Tolerance in Hypolactasic Subjects Consuming Ice Creams with High or Low Concentrations of Bifidobacterium bifidum 900791

Although Bifidobacterium bifidum expresses lactase activity, no clinical trials have determined its impact on lactose-intolerant subjects. This study evaluated whether acute and chronic ingestion of ice creams containing B. bifidum 900791 at high (107 CFU/g) or low (105 CFU/g) concentrations improved lactose tolerance in hypolactasic subjects. Fifty subjects were selected based on a positive lactose (20 g) hydrogen breath test (HBT0) and the presence of digestive symptoms. The recruited subjects were required to perform breath tests after the acute ingestion of: (1) ice cream containing 20 g of lactose without a probiotic (HBT1); (2) the same ice cream, accompanied by a lactase tablet (HBT2); (3) the same ice cream containing the low or high dose of probiotic (HBT3-LD and HBT3-HD); and (4) after the chronic consumption of the ice cream without (placebo) or with the low concentration of probiotic for 1 month (HBT4). Significant decreases in H2 excretion during HBT2 and HBT3-HD as well as digestive symptoms during HBT2, HBT3-HD and HBT3-LD were observed compared to HBT0 and HBT1, while the orocecal transit time increased. Chronic consumption of the probiotic ice cream did not enhance lactose tolerance compared to the placebo. These results suggest that the acute ingestion of ice cream containing high or low concentrations of B. bifidum 900791 improves lactose tolerance in hypolactasic subjects.

Adrenergic Receptor Beta 2and 3 Polymorphism Modulate Gastro Intestinal Motility in Ttype 2 Diabetes Mellitus Patients

BackgroundIndividuals with type 2diabetes mellitus (T2DM) commonly present with gastro intestinal symptoms. Exact pathophysiology behind these symptoms is not elucidated. Previous studies reported the role of adrenoceptors on gut motility. However, no study has been conducted to observe whether adrenergic beta receptor (ADRB) 2 and 3 gene polymorphism could influence the gut motility in T2DM. Materials and Methods:Three hundred T2DM patients and 200 age and sex matched healthy controls were enrolled for this study. Participants were subjected to lactulose hydrogen breath test for estimation of orocecal transit time (OCTT). To carry out polymorphism study, buffy coat of EDTA blood was used for DNA isolation followed by polymerase chain reaction and restriction fragment length polymorphism. Results:In this study, the frequency of C allele as well as CC genotype of ADRB3 gene polymorphism and A allele as well as AA genotype of ADRB2 gene polymorphism were significantly higher in patients than controls and was associated with increased risk for T2DM. On comparison of gut motility, OCTT was found to be significantly prolonged (p<0.01) in individuals with CC genotype compared to TT or CT genotype in ADRB3 polymorphism and AA genotype, compared to AG and GG genotype in case of ADRB2 polymorphism. Combined effect of both adrenoceptors on gut motility revealed that individuals having AG or AA genotype in combination with other genotypes had significantly prolonged OCTT. Conclusion:It could be concluded that beta adrenoceptor gene polymorphism has significant role on regulation of gut motility in T2DM.

Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth and Orocecal Transit Time in Patients of Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

Background: To explore the frequency of small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) and orocecal transit time (OCTT) in patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Methods: 103 patients with NAFLD and 49 healthy controls were enrolled. Clinical indicators such as body mass index (BMI), liver function, blood lipids, HOMA-IR, serum endotoxin of NAFLD patients were collected and examined. Fibro Touch was used to detect the (controlled attenuation parameter) CAP and liver stiffness measurement (LSM). SIBO and OCTT were measured by lactulose hydrogen breath test. Results: The incidence of SIBO in NAFLD patients (58.3%) was significantly higher than that in healthy controls (26.5%). The level of serum endotoxin in NAFLD patients was higher than that in healthy controls. The levels of CAP, LSM, serum endotoxin, ALT, AST and HOMA-IR in SBIO-positive NAFLD patients were higher than those in SIBO-negative patients. There was no significant difference in GGT, TG, LDL and BMI between the two groups. OCTT in NAFLD patients was longer than that in healthy controls. It was also observed that OCTT in SIBO-positive NAFLD patients was significantly delayed compared with SIBO-negative NAFLD patients. Conclusions: Patients with NAFLD exhibit the increased incidence rate of SIBO and prolonged OCTT; SIBO in NAFLD patients is a contributing factor to the elevated transaminase, hepatic steatosis, progression of liver fibrosis and prolonged OCTT.

Distinct Effects of two Almond Cultivars on Agreeability and Gastrointestinal Motility in Healthy Subjects: more than mere Nutraceuticals

Background: Almonds are healthy nutraceuticals, which vary across different cultivars. We compared the composition, agreeability and gastrointestinal effects of two almond cultivars from different areas.Methods: Californian Carmel (CAcv) and local Apulian Filippo Cea (FCcv) cultivars were compared for the chemical composition and sensory evaluation according to visual analogue and semiquantitative scales in 60 volunteers. Gallbladder/gastric motility (ultrasonography) and orocecal transit time (H2-breath test) were studied in another 24 subjects by comparing the effects of a standard liquid test meal with isovolumetric almond test meals (24 g of CAcv or FCcv almonds).Results: Proteins prevailed in CAcv, while FCcv contained more lipids and 10-times more total phenol content than CAcv. For agreeability, CAcv scored higher than FCcv for smell, texture and appearance, although different perceptions existed in lean (scores for smell, taste, texture, appearance higher for CAcv than FCcv), obese (CAcv better than FCcv only for appearance) and elderly subjects (CAcv better than FCcv only for texture). Gallbladder emptying was stronger with FCcv than CAcv. Antral dilatation after ingestion of both cultivars was greater than the dilatation observed after the test meal. Gastric emptying, however, was similar after FCcv, CAcv and the test meal. The orocecal transit time in response to both cultivars was shorter than after the test meal.Conclusions: Differences in composition and effects of FCcv and CAcv cultivars support their potential use as valuable nutraceutical tools, to be confirmed in further clinical studies.