Comparison of the kinetics of intestinal colonization by associating 5 probiotic bacteria assumed either in a microencapsulated or in a traditional, uncoated form.

Background: Beneficial findings concerning probiotics are increasing day by day. However, one of the most important parameters able to significantly affect the probiotic value of a microorganism is its survival during the transit through the stomach and the duodenum. Some techniques may be applied that aim to improve this parameter, but microencapsulation of bacterial cells remains one of the most important.

Assessment of the in vitro inhibitory activity of specific probiotic bacteria against different Escherichia coli strains.

Background: Lactobacilli and bifidobacteria are often associated with health-promoting effects. These live microorganisms, defined as probiotics, are commonly consumed as part of fermented foods, such as yoghurt and fermented milks, or as dietary supplements. Escherichia coli is a gram-negative, rod-shaped bacterium commonly found in the lower intestine of warm-blooded organisms.

The innovative potential of Lactobacillus rhamnosus LR06, Lactobacillus pentosus LPS01, Lactobacillus plantarum LP01, and Lactobacillus delbrueckii Subsp. delbrueckii LDD01 to restore the "gastric barrier effect" in patients chronically treated with PPI: a pilot study.

Background: Gastroesophageal reflux disease is a very widespread condition. In Europe, it is estimated that about 175 million people suffer from this disease and have to chronically take drugs to increase gastric pH. The proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) such as omeprazole, lansoprazole, and esomeprazole are the most widely used drug typology in this regard.

Is microencapsulation the future of probiotic preparations? The increased efficacy of gastro-protected probiotics.

In a recent publication we assessed the kinetics of intestinal colonization by microencapsulated probiotic bacteria in comparison with the same strains given in an uncoated form. It's well known, in fact, that microencapsulation of probiotics with specific materials is able to confer a significant resistance to gastric juice, thus protecting the cells during the gastric and duodenal transit and enhancing the probiotic efficacy of any supplementation. In any case, this was the first study reporting the fecal amounts of probiotics administered in a coated, protected form compared with traditional, uncoated ones.

The use of probiotics in healthy volunteers with evacuation disorders and hard stools: a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study.

Background: Evacuation disorders and hard stools are common in industrialized countries, affecting on average 12% to 17% of the adult healthy population at any age. Dietary supplementation with probiotic microorganisms may be useful in reducing the disorder.

Methods: We performed a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study to evaluate the effectiveness of 2 different probiotic blends, either mixed Lactobacillus plantarum LP01 (LMG P-21021) and Bifidobacterium breve BR03 (DSM 16604) or Bifidobacterium animalis subspecies lactis BS01 (LMG P-21384), in the management of evacuation disorders and intestinal discomfort.

Evaluation of the intestinal colonization by microencapsulated probiotic bacteria in comparison with the same uncoated strains.

Background: Beneficial findings concerning probiotics are increasing day by day. However, one of the most important parameter which affects the probiotic activity of a microorganism is its survival during the gastroduodenal transit. Some microencapsulation techniques could be applied to bacterial cells to improve this parameter.

Clinical experience with probiotics in the elderly on total enteral nutrition.

Background: Recent data support that after 2 years of age, intestinal microflora remains relatively constant over time, except in elderly people, who harbor fewer bifidobacteria and a higher population of fungi and enterobacteria than young adults. Diet supplementation with probiotics may improve the nutritional status and reduce the impaired immunity associated with aging. The goal of this study was to establish the effect on bifidobacteria fecal counts, and some clinical parameters, of bifidobacteria supplementation to elderly patients in total parenteral nutrition.