METHOD: The study is a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. In total, 40 patients were recruited. Patients were randomized to receive either microbial cell preparation (n = 20) or placebo (n = 20) for 7 days prior to elective surgery. The primary end point was the time to return of normal gut function, while the secondary end point was the duration of hospital stay.

RESULTS: The treatment group demonstrated significantly faster return of normal gut function with a median of 108.5 h (80-250 h) which was 48 h earlier than the placebo group at a median of 156.5 h (94-220 h), p = 0.022. The duration of hospital stay in the treatment group was also shorter at a median of 6.5 days (4-30 days), in comparison to the placebo group at 13 days (5-25 days), p = 0.012.

Materials and Methods: This study utilized 10 LAB previously isolated from fermented buffalo milk (dadih), fermented fish (budu), and fermented cassava (tape) which have the ability to produce gamma-aminobutyric acid. The study commenced with the screening of LAB for certain properties, such as resistance to acid and bile salts, adhesion to mucosal surface, and antagonism against enteric pathogens (Escherichia coli, Salmonella Enteritidis, and Staphylococcus aureus). The promising isolates were identified through biochemical and gram staining methods.

Results: All isolates in this study were potential novel probiotics. They survived at a pH level of 2.5 for 3 h (55.27-98.18%) and 6 h (50.98-84.91%). Survival in bile at a concentration of 0.3% was 39.90-58.61% and the survival rate was 28.38-52.11% at a concentration of 0.5%. The inhibitory diameter ranged from 8.75 to 11.54 mm for E. coli, 7.02 to 13.42 mm for S. aureus, and 12.49 to 19.00 mm for S. Enteritidis. All the isolates (84.5-92%) exhibited the ability to adhere to mucosal surfaces. This study revealed that all the isolates were potential probiotics but N16 proved to be superior because it was viable at a pH level of 2 (84.91%) and it had a good survival rate in bile salts assay (55.07%). This isolate was identified as Lactobacillus spp., Gram-positive bacilli bacteria, and tested negative in both the catalase and oxidase tests.

DESIGN: Randomised control trial.

SETTING: Medical outpatient and medical/surgical in-patient unit in single tertiary center.

PARTICIPANT: Patients aged ≥ 60 years who experience constipation and have multiple chronic medical conditions.

METHODS: Participants with constipation were blindly randomized into either a treatment (MCP® BCMC® strains) or a placebo group. The treatment was administered twice daily.

MEASUREMENT: Gastrointestinal symptoms and stool habits were assessed over a week during the intervention via the use of a questionnaire and stool diary.

RESULTS: Stool frequency was seen to be higher and the improvement in stool consistency was more significant in the treatment group than in the placebo group (p =<0.001). A significant improvement in symptoms was demonstrated in patients who received MCP® BCMC® strains,specifically with respect to straining (p = < 0.001) and a sensation of incomplete evacuation (p = < 0.001). reduction in anorectal blockage symptoms and the need for manual stool evacuation was also demonstrated, but this finding was not statistically significant. Significant adverse events were not observed.

SOURCE OF FUNDING: The study was funded by International Islamic University Malaysia (P-RIGS18-036-0036).

METHODS: Forty-one healthy sedentary males were recruited and randomised into four groups: sedentary control with placebo (C), probiotics (P), circuit training with placebo (Ex), and circuit training with probiotics (PEx) groups. Participants in the Ex and PEx groups performed a progressive load of circuit training at 3 times/week for 12 weeks. Each circuit comprised 10 exercises with work to rest ratio of 1:2. Participants consumed either multi-strain probiotics or placebo twice daily for 12 weeks. Body height and weight, blood pressure, resting heart rate, saliva and blood samples were collected at pre- and post-tests.

RESULTS: Saliva flow rate and salivary IgA, α-amylase, lactoferrin and lysozyme responses were not significantly different (P>0.05) between groups and also between pre- and post-test within each group. Similarly, total leukocytes, total lymphocytes, T lymphocytes, T-helper, T-cytotoxic, B lymphocytes, and natural killer cells counts were not significantly affected (P>0.05) by the probiotics and/or circuit training. However, circuit training significantly increased (P<0.05) immune cells count at post-test as compared to pre-test. Yet, a combination of circuit training and probiotics showed no significant (P>0.05) effects on immune cells count.