Influence of Lactobacillus rhamnosus Supplementation on the Glycaemic Index, Lipid Profile, and Microbiome of Healthy Elderly Subjects: A Preliminary Randomized Clinical Trial

• Published in: Foods Vol. 13; no. 9; p. 1293
• Main Authors: Chaiyasut, Chaiyavat, Sivamaruthi, Bhagavathi Sundaram, Thangaleela, Subramanian, Sisubalan, Natarajan, Bharathi, Muruganantham, Khongtan, Suchanat, Kesika, Periyanaina, Sirilun, Sasithorn, Choeisoongnern, Thiwanya, Peerajan, Sartjin, Fukngoen, Pranom, Sittiprapaporn, Phakkharawat, Rungseevijitprapa, Wandee
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Switzerland MDPI AG 23-04-2024
• Subjects: Abundance; Age; Aging; Bacteria; Bacteroides; Biodiversity; Biological activity; Biomarkers; Body fat; Body weight; Cholesterol; Clinical trials; Density; Dietary supplements; Escherichia; Geriatrics; gut microbiota; High density lipoprotein; Homeostasis; Intestinal microflora; Lactobacilli; Lactobacillus rhamnosus; Lifestyles; lipid profile; Lipids; Low density lipoprotein; Metabolism; Metabolites; microbiome; Microbiomes; Microbiota; Microorganisms; Older people; Physiology; Placebos; Probiotics; Radio frequency; Regression analysis; Senescence; Shigella; Statistical analysis; Triglycerides; Thailand; Chiang Mai Thailand; aging; microbiome; Lactobacillus rhamnosus; gut microbiota; lipid profile; probiotics
• ISSN: 2304-8158; 2304-8158
• DOI: 10.3390/foods13091293

Aging is a time-dependent complex biological process of organisms with gradual deterioration of the anatomical and physiological functions. The role of gut microbiota is inevitable in the aging process. Probiotic interventions improve gut homeostasis and support healthy aging by enhancing beneficial species and microbial biodiversity in older adults. The present preliminary clinical trial delves into the impact of an 8-week
intervention (10 × 10
CFU per day) on the glycaemic index, lipid profile, and microbiome of elderly subjects. Body weight, body fat, fasting blood glucose, total cholesterol, triglyceride, high-density lipoprotein, and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) are assessed at baseline (Week 0) and after treatment (Week 8) in placebo and probiotic groups. Gaussian regression analysis highlights a significant improvement in LDL cholesterol in the probiotic group (
= 0.045). Microbiome analysis reveals numeric changes in taxonomic abundance at various levels. At the phylum level, Proteobacteria increases its relative frequency (RF) from 14.79 ± 5.58 at baseline to 23.46 ± 8.02 at 8 weeks, though statistically insignificant (
= 0.100). Compared to the placebo group, probiotic supplementations significantly increased the proteobacteria abundance. Genus-level analysis indicates changes in the abundance of several microbes, including
,
, and
, but only Butyricimonas showed a statistically significant level of reduction in its abundance. Probiotic supplementations significantly altered the
and
abundance compared to the placebo group. At the species level,
substantially increases after probiotic treatment (
= 0.021). Alpha and beta diversity assessments depict subtle shifts in microbial composition. The study has limitations, including a small sample size, short study duration, single-strain probiotic use, and lack of long-term follow-up. Despite these constraints, the study provides valuable preliminary insights into the multifaceted impact of
on elderly subjects. Further detailed studies are required to define the beneficial effect of
on the health status of elderly subjects.