A Randomized Clinical Trial of Synbiotics in Irritable Bowel Syndrome: Dose-Dependent Effects on Gastrointestinal Symptoms and Fatigue.

Background: This double-blind, randomized controlled design study aimed to assess the dose-dependent effects of synbiotics on gastrointestinal symptoms of and fatigue in irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

Methods: Thirty subjects with IBS were randomly assigned into the following three groups and received 2 capsules a day for 8 weeks: (1) high-dose (2 capsules of synbiotics); (2) low-dose (1 capsule of synbiotics and 1 capsule of placebo); and (3) placebo (2 capsules of placebo). At baseline and 8 weeks, they completed the study questionnaires.

Obesity Is Inversely Related to Hydrogen-Producing Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth in Non-Constipation Irritable Bowel Syndrome.

There have been inconsistent findings on the association of obesity and non-constipation irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) with hydrogen (H₂) gas forming-microflora causes non-constipation IBS. But, the effect of H₂ producing SIBO on obesity in non-constipation IBS patients has not been studied yet.

Serum Gamma-glutamyl Transferase Concentration Within the Reference Range is Related to the Coronary Heart Disease Risk Prediction in Korean Men: Analysis of the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (V-1, 2010 and V-2, 2011).

Background: Limited data exist on the association of serum gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT) level within the reference range with the increased risk of coronary heart disease (CHD) prediction in men. The study examined the association between serum GGT concentration within the reference range and the CHD risk prediction in Korean men.

Methods: The study employed data from Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (V-1, 2010 and V-2, 2011) where a total of 1301 individuals were analyzed.

Fermented Rhizoma Atractylodis Macrocephalae alleviates high fat diet-induced obesity in association with regulation of intestinal permeability and microbiota in rats.

Accumulating evidence suggests the anti-inflammatory and anti-obesity activities of Rhizoma Atractylodis Macrocephalae (RAM). Here, we evaluated the anti-obesity impact of unfermented (URAM) versus fermented RAM (FRAM) using both in vitro and in vivo models. Both URAM and FRAM exhibited marked anti-inflammatory, anti-adipogenic, and anti-obesity activities, and modulation of the gut microbial distribution.