Effects of Bifidobacterium animalis subspecies lactis supplementation on gastrointestinal symptoms: systematic review with meta-analysis

• Published in: Nutrition reviews Vol. 80; no. 6; pp. 1619 - 1633
• Main Authors: Araújo, Maísa Miranda, Vogado, Carolina de Oliveira, Mendes, Marcela Moraes, Gonçalves, Vivian Siqueira Santos, Botelho, Patrícia Borges
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Oxford University Press 09-05-2022
• Subjects: Abdominal Pain - prevention & control; Adult; Adults; Bifidobacterium animalis; Clinical trials; Defecation; Dietary supplements; Gastrointestinal Diseases - prevention & control; Gastrointestinal symptoms; Humans; Meta-analysis; Pain; Population characteristics; Probiotics; Probiotics - therapeutic use; Qualitative analysis; Random variables; Subgroups; Synthesis; Systematic review; Transit time; Bifidobacterium lactis; probiotic; defecation frequency; stool consistency; gastrointestinal symptoms
• ISSN: 0029-6643; 1753-4887
• DOI: 10.1093/nutrit/nuab109

Abstract
Context
The effects of probiotics on gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms have been increasingly investigated, particularly that of Bifidobacterium animalis. Clinical trials so far have shown differing evidence regarding these effects in healthy adults.
Objective
To synthesize the published evidence on the effects of B. animalis subspecies lactis on GI symptoms (GIS) in healthy adults.
Data Source
A search of the Medline, Embase, Lilacs, Scopus, Web of Science, ProQuest, and Google Scholar databases was conducted for reports on randomized controlled trials published up to October 2021.
Data Extraction
Population characteristics and data on colonic transit time (CTT), stool consistency, defecation frequency, abdominal pain, bloating, flatulence, volunteer compliance, and adverse events were extracted. A random-effects model was used to estimate the effect of probiotic treatment on these variables.
Data Synthesis
In total, 1551 studies were identified, of which 14 were included in the qualitative synthesis and 13 in the meta-analysis. Overall, probiotic supplementation increased defecation frequency (standardized mean difference [SMD], 0.26; 95%CI, 0.13–0.39). Subgroup analysis revealed a decrease in CTT (SMD, −0.34; 95%CI, −0.62 to −0.07) in short-term treatment (≤14 d) and an improvement in stool consistency (SMD, 0.76; 95%CI, 0.44–1.08) in individuals without GIS. No improvement in abdominal pain and bloating was found.
Conclusions
B. animalis subspecies lactis supplementation may increase defecation frequency and, in short-term treatment, may reduce CTT in healthy adults and improve stool consistency in individuals without GIS. More high-quality randomized controlled trials are needed to develop a clinical protocol for the use of this strain to improve these symptoms.
Systematic Review Registration
PROSPERO registration no. CRD42020154060.