Increased intestinal leakiness and associated systemic inflammation are potential contributors to osteoarthritis (OA) and postural imbalance in the geriatric population. To date, no successful treatment to correct postural imbalance in OA is known. We aimed to explore the effects of a multistrain probiotic upon postural imbalance in OA-affected patients. In this randomised, double-blind trial with a placebo group, 147 patients suffering from knee OA (age span = 64–75 years) were divided into placebo (n 75) and probiotics (n 72) study groups. Vivomix 112 billion, multistrain probiotic was given once a day for 12 weeks. The outcomes of study variables were determined first at baseline and later after 12 weeks of intervention. These were Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC), knee flexion range of motion (ROM), pain intensity by visual analogue scale, handgrip strength (HGS), gait speed and balance control assessed in standing, semi-tandem and tandem stances. We determined plasma zonulin to determine intestinal leak along with c-reactive protein and 8-isoprostanes levels. A total of 136 OA patients taking placebo (n 71) and probiotics (n 65) were analysed. The probiotics group exhibited a reduction in pain intensity, disease severity and WOMAC scores along with improvement in balance scores, HGS and walking speed (P < 0·05 for all), no change in ROM, resting pain and 8-isoprostanes levels. The correlation analysis revealed a robust association of balance scores with plasma markers of intestinal leakiness and inflammation in probiotics but not in the placebo group. Probiotics reduce postural imbalance in OA patients partly due to a reduction in intestinal leakiness.

This study examined the efficacy of a probiotic in reducing depressive symptom severity in people with subthreshold depression. In a double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled trial, a probiotic (1 × 10^9 live cells per strain: Limosilactobacillus fermentum LF16 (DSM26956), Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus LR06 (DSM21981), Lactiplantibacillus plantarum LP01 (LMG P-21021) and Bifidobacterium longum 04 (DSM23233)) or placebo was taken daily for 12 weeks. Data were collected at baseline, 6 and 12 weeks including psychological symptom severity (Beck Depression Inventory, BDI; Patient Health Questionnaire, PHQ; Hospital Anxiety Depression Scale, HADS; and Depression Anxiety and Stress Scale, DASS). Biomarkers of glycaemia, inflammation (high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, hs-CRP), antioxidant status (total glutathione (GSH)) and stress (cortisol awakening response, CAR) were also measured. Thirty-nine participants (nineteen probiotic; twenty placebo) were enrolled. There were no significant between-group differences in the examined psychological symptom severity scores, despite certain significant within-group changes observed in both groups from baseline to 6 and/or 12 weeks of follow-up. Regarding biomarkers, the probiotic group showed reduced hs-CRP (–1520; 95 % CI –273·7, −2766·2 ng/dl) and CAR (–0·28; 95 % CI −0·05, −0·51 μg/dl) at 12 weeks, but increased total GSH (3·9; 95 % CI 0·1, 7·5 ng/dl) at 6 weeks, compared with the placebo. The current study reported favourable decreases in depressive symptoms in both groups. Although the within-group changes observed in the probiotic group were supported by favourable inflammatory, antioxidant status and stress biomarker changes compared with the placebo, further research is required to shed more light on the role of gut microbiota modulation on emotional regulation.

Depression is the leading cause of disability worldwide(1). The microbiota-gut-brain axis may play a role in the aetiology of depression, and probiotics show promise for improving mood and depressive state(2). Further evidence is required to support mechanisms and in high-risk populations, such as those with sub-threshold depression (which may be 2-3 times more prevalent than diagnosed depression)(3). The aims were to assess the efficacy of a probiotic compared with placebo in reducing the severity of depressive symptoms in participants with subthreshold depression, and to investigate potential mechanistic markers of inflammatory, antioxidant status and stress response. A double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled trial was conducted in participants meeting diagnosis of subthreshold depression (DSM-5); aged 18-65 years; ≥18.5 kg/m2 body mass index; not taking antidepressants, centrally acting medications, probiotics nor antibiotics for at least 6 weeks. The probiotic (4 × 109 AFU/CFU, 2.5 g freeze-dried powder containing Lactobacillus fermentum LF16 (DSM26956), L. rhamnosus LR06 (DSM21981), L. plantarum LP01 (LMG P-21021), Bifidobacterium longum BL04 (DSM 23233)) or placebo was taken daily for 3-months. Data was collected at 3 study visits (pre-, mid- (6 weeks), post-intervention). Self-reported questionnaires measured psychological symptoms (Beck Depression Inventory, BDI; Hospital Anxiety Depression Scale, HADS) and quality of life. Blood and salivary samples were collected for biomarkers including cortisol awakening response (CAR). General linear models examined within-group and between-group differences across all time points. Thirty-nine participants completed the study (n = 19 probiotic; n = 20 placebo) using intention-to-treat analysis. The probiotic group decreased in BDI score by −6.5 (95% CI −12.3; −0.7) and −7.6 (95% CI −13.4; −1.8) at 6 and 12 weeks, respectively. The HADS-A score decreased in the probiotic group by −2.8 (95% CI −5.2; −0.4) and −2.7 (95% CI −5.1; −0.3) at 6 and 12, respectively. The HADS-D score decreased in the probiotic group by −3.0 (95% CI −5.4; −0.7) and −2.5 (−4.9; −0.2) at 6 and 12 weeks of intervention, respectively. No between group differences were found. There were no changes in perceived stress or quality of life scores. The probiotic group had reduced hs-CRP levels (7286.2 ± 1205.8 ng/dL vs. 5976.4 ± 1408.3; P = 0.003) and increased total glutathione (14.2 ± 8.9 ng/dL vs. 9.3 ± 4.7; P = 0.049) compared to placebo, post intervention. Lower levels of CAR were found in the probiotic compared to placebo (−0.04 ± 0.17 μg/dL vs. 0.16 ± 0.25; P = 0.009). A significant reduction in depressive symptoms and anxiety was observed within the probiotic group only. These results were supported by improvements observed in biomarkers, suggesting probiotics may improve psychological wellbeing in adults experiencing sub-threshold depression, by potential pathways involved in central nervous system homeostasis and inflammation. Future analyses are required to understand changes within the intestinal microbiota and to clarify how their metabolites facilitate emotional processing.

Ulcerative Colitis (UC), a type of Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD), is a chronic, relapsing gastrointestinal condition with increasing global prevalence. The gut microbiome profile of people living with UC differs from healthy controls and this may play a role in the pathogenesis and clinical management of UC. Probiotics have been shown to induce remission in UC; however, their impact on the gut microbiome and inflammation is less clear. Anthocyanins, a flavonoid subclass, have shown anti-inflammatory and microbiota-modulating properties; however, this evidence is largely preclinical. To explore the combined effect and clinical significance of anthocyanins and a multi-strain probiotic, a 3-month randomised controlled trial will be conducted in 100 adults with UC. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of four groups: anthocyanins (blackcurrant powder) + placebo probiotic, probiotic + placebo fruit powder, anthocyanin + probiotic, or double placebo. The primary outcome is a clinically significant change in the health-related quality-of-life measured with the Inflammatory Bowel Disease Questionnaire-32. Secondary outcomes include shotgun metagenomic sequencing of the faecal microbiota, faecal calprotectin, symptom severity, and mood and cognitive tests. This research will identify the role of adjuvant anti-inflammatory dietary treatments in adults with UC and elucidate the relationship between the gut microbiome and inflammatory biomarkers in this disease, to help identify targeted individualised microbial therapies. ANZCTR registration ACTRN12623000630617.

In view of the celebration of the ‘International Year of Millets,’ millets are popularizing sustainable agricultural output amid challenging climates and nourishing adequately as food and feed. The extent of scientific intervention is the foundation for designing, promoting and popularizing neglected crops on social platforms. Planning future directions and adaptive strategies largely require regular evaluation of research efforts to identify hotspots and research gaps, as identified in the present study by creating a robust text-mining approach that integrates scientometrics using PubMed citation data. Keyword mining reveals that India and China are the leading publication centres on millets, possibly due to their large proportion of cultivation and indigenous nature. It further reveals that the pearl millet is the predominant one, followed by foxtail and finger millet, suggesting that most research is confined to them only; however, other millets, still have a research gap in comparison. The word abiotic stress is associated with high frequency in millet research due to its adaptive nature amid climate change. Thematic representation explored the novel concept of millet's utility as a probiotic and millet bran to ensure nutrient–cereal properties based on the persistency of keywords throughput research progression; however, incurious consumption is associated with harmful ochratoxin. Bio-concept mining and knowledge graph generation divided the millet research output into four large domains, which provides a largely covered bio-concepts for millet research and co-concurrence of emerging bio-concepts to intense progress and finds an adequate literature gap to improve millet research for sustained growth and equilibrate biodiversity.

Postmenopausal osteoporosis is a major concern for women worldwide due to increased risk of fractures and diminished bone quality. Recent research on gut microbiota has suggested that probiotics can combat various diseases, including postmenopausal bone loss. Although several preclinical studies have explored the potential of probiotics in improving postmenopausal bone loss, the results have been inconsistent and the mechanism of action remains unclear. To address this, a meta-analysis was conducted to determine the effect of probiotics on animal models of postmenopausal osteoporosis. The bone parameters studied were bone mineral density (BMD), bone volume fractions (BV/TV), and hallmarks of bone formation and resorption. Pooled analysis showed that probiotic treatment significantly improves BMD and BV/TV of the ovariectomised animals. Probiotics, while not statistically significant, exhibited a tendency towards enhancing bone formation and reducing bone resorption. Next, we compared the effects of Lactobacillus sp. and Bifidobacterium sp. on osteoporotic bone. Both probiotics improved BMD and BV/TV compared with control, but Lactobacillus sp. had a larger effect size. In conclusion, our findings suggest that probiotics have the potential to improve bone health and prevent postmenopausal osteoporosis. However, further studies are required to investigate the effect of probiotics on postmenopausal bone health in humans.

N-3 long-chain PUFA (LC-PUFA) and probiotics are generally considered to induce health benefits. The objective was to investigate (1) the impact of fish oil and/or probiotics on serum fatty acids (sFA), (2) the interaction of sFA with low-grade inflammation and (3) the relation of sFA to the onset of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). Pregnant women with overweight/obesity were allocated into intervention groups with fish oil + placebo, probiotics + placebo, fish oil + probiotics or placebo + placebo in early pregnancy (fish oil: 1·9 g DHA and 0·22 g EPA, probiotics: Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus HN001 and Bifidobacterium animalis ssp. lactis 420, 1010 CFU, each daily). Blood samples were collected in early (n 431) and late pregnancy (n 361) for analysis of fatty acids in serum phosphatidylcholine (PC), cholesteryl esters (CE), TAG and NEFA with GC and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein and GlycA by immunoassay and NMR spectroscopy, respectively. GDM was diagnosed according to 2 h 75 g oral glucose tolerance test. EPA in PC, CE and TAG and DHA in PC, CE, TAG and NEFA were higher in fish oil and fish oil + probiotics groups compared with placebo. EPA in serum NEFA was lower in women receiving probiotics compared with women not receiving. Low-grade inflammation was inversely associated with n-3 LC-PUFA, which were related to an increased risk of GDM. Fish oil and fish oil + probiotics consumption increase serum n-3 LC-PUFA in pregnant women with overweight/obesity. Although these fatty acids were inversely related to inflammatory markers, n-3 LC-PUFA were linked with an increased risk for GDM.

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is a rising global health problem that affects approximately 6% of pregnant women. Lifestyle interventions, particularly diet, and exercise are the first-line treatment, followed by pharmacotherapy, but with associated side effects to both mother and offspring. Modulation of gut microbiota may help prevent or manage GDM. Some gut bacterial groups associated with GDM are also associated with inflammatory biomarkers and gut dysbiosis. Available literature reports that low-glycaemic index diet reduces maternal fasting and 2-hour postprandial glucose and maintains a beneficial gut bacterial composition. Pre- and probiotics can aid GDM therapy by modulating gut microbiota to eubiotic status and improving glucose metabolism. Probiotics as adjuvant GDM therapy should consider bacterial strains, dosage, and treatment duration. Limitations in their use require further studies to develop specific probiotic-based GDM supplement therapy that impacts glycaemic control and inflammatory status by reducing fasting plasma glucose, insulin resistance, and improving lipid profiles of pregnant women.

To date, several systematic reviews and meta-analyses (SRMA) have investigated the effects of probiotics, but the certainty of the evidence for an effect on chemotherapy and radiotherapy-related diarrhoea has not been assessed. We conducted an overview of SRMA, searching MEDLINE, Scopus, and ISI Web of Science from inception up to February 2022. We summarised the findings of eligible SRMA. Subsequently, we included randomised clinical trials (RCT) from the SRMA in meta-analyses, using a quality effects model to calculate the OR and 95 % CI for each outcome. We used ‘A Measurement Tool to Assess Systematic Reviews’ and the Cochrane risk of bias tool to assess the methodological quality of the SRMA and their RCT, respectively. We used the ‘Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation’.We included thirteen SRMA, which reported pooled effect sizes for chemotherapy and radiotherapy-related diarrhoea based on a total of eighteen RCT. Our meta-analyses demonstrated statistically significant beneficial effects from probiotics on all outcomes, except stool consistency; diarrhoea (any grade) OR 0·35 (95 % CI 0·22, 0·54), grade ≥ 2 diarrhoea 0·43 (0·25, 0·74), grade ≥ 3 diarrhoea 0·30 (0·15, 0·59), use of medication 0·49 (0·27, 0·88), soft stool 1·10 (0·44, 2·76) and watery stool 0·52 (0·29, 1·29). Probiotics use can reduce the incidence of diarrhoea in cancer patients in chemotherapy and radiotherapy, but the certainty of evidence for significant outcomes was very low and low.

Increasing research has been conducted on the role of probiotics in disease treatment. Kefir, a safe, low-cost probiotic fermented milk drink, has been investigated in many in vitro and animal studies, although parameters for human therapeutic dose or treatment time have not yet been determined. Here we perform a scoping review of clinical studies that have used kefir as a therapeutic agent, compiling the results for perspectives to support and direct further research. This review was based on Joanna Briggs Institute guidelines, including studies on the effects of kefir-fermented milk in humans. Using the term KEFIR, the main international databases were searched for studies published in English, Spanish or Portuguese until 9 March 2022. A total of 5835 articles were identified in the four databases, with forty-four eligible for analysis. The research areas were classified as metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes, gastrointestinal health/disorders, maternal/child health and paediatrics, dentistry, oncology, women’s and geriatric health, and dermatology. The many study limitations hampered generalisation of the results. The small sample sizes, methodological variation and differences in kefir types, dosage and treatment duration prevented clear conclusions about its benefits for specific diseases. We suggest using a standard therapeutic dose of traditionally prepared kefir in millilitres according to body weight, making routine consumption more feasible. The studies showed that kefir is safe for people without serious illnesses.

The 10th International Yakult Symposium was held in Milan, Italy, on 13–14 October 2022. Two keynote lectures covered the crewed journey to space and its implications for the human microbiome, and how current regulatory systems can be adapted and updated to ensure the safety of microorganisms used as probiotics or food processing ingredients. The remaining lectures were split into sections entitled “Chances” and “Challenges.” The “Chances” section explored opportunities for the science of probiotics and fermented foods to contribute to diverse areas of health such as irritable bowel syndrome, major depression, Parkinson’s disease, immune dysfunction, infant colic, intensive care, respiratory infections, and promoting healthy longevity. The “Challenges” section included selecting appropriate clinical trial participants and methodologies to minimise heterogeneity in responses, how to view probiotics in the context of One Health, adapting regulatory frameworks, and understanding how substances of bacterial origin can cross the blood–brain barrier. The symposium provided evidence from cutting-edge research that gut eubiosis is vital for human health and, like space, the microbiota deserves further exploration of its vast potential.

This study was conducted to determine the effect of acidophilus yoghurt (yoghurt fortified with Lactobacillus acidophilus) in comparison to traditional plain yoghurt (St. thermophilus and L. bulgaricus starter cultures) on the survival of three pathogenic Escherichia coli strains; Shiga toxigenic O157 (STx O157), non-toxigenic O157 (Non-STx O157) and Shiga toxigenic non-O157 (STx O145). After six days of refrigerated storage of laboratory-manufactured yoghurt inoculated with the three strains of E. coli separately, all were eliminated in acidophilus yoghurt, while their survival extended in the traditional yoghurt along the storage period (17 d). Reduction percentages of the tested strains in acidophilus yoghurt were 99.93, 99.93 and 99.86%, with log reduction of 3.176, 3.176, and 2.865 cfu/g for Stx O157, Non-Stx O157, and Stx O145 E. coli, respectively, in comparison to 91.67, 93.33 and 93.33%, with log reduction of 1.079, 1.176 and 1.176 cfu/g in traditional yoghurt. Statistical analysis showed a significant effect of acidophilus yoghurt in reducing the count of Stx E. coli O157 (P = 0.001), Non-Stx E. coli O157 (P < 0.01) and Stx E. coli O145 (P < 0.01) compared to the traditional yoghurt. These findings emphasize the potential use of acidophilus yoghurt as a biocontrol alternative method for eliminating pathogenic E. coli, as well as other similar applications in the dairy industry.

Nutrition demands in aquaculture can be realized through quality aquafeeds as compounded diets that contribute to the growth and health of aquaculture species. Functional additives in feed, notably probiotics, prebiotics, and their admixture synbiotics, have been recently recognized for their biotherapeutic role as immunostimulants capable of conferring disease resistance, stress tolerance, and gastrointestinal health; counteracting the negative effects of anti-nutrients, pathogenic prevalence, and antimicrobials in finfish aquaculture. Formulated diets based on probiotics, prebiotics, and as a supplemental combination for synbiotics can significantly influence fish gut microbiomes, establishing the modalities of microbial dynamics to maximize host-associated benefits. These microbial functional-feed supplements are acclaimed to be biocompatible, biodegradable, and safe for dietary consumption as well as the environment. In fed fish aquaculture, prebiotic appended probiotic diet ‘synbiotic’ has propounded larger attention for its additional health and nutritional benefits. Synbiotic, prebiotic, and probiotic usage as functional feeds for finfish aquaculture thus provides promising prospects. Developing trends in their intended application are reviewed here forth.

The gut microbiota plays crucial roles in maintaining the health and homeostasis of its host throughout lifespan, including through its ability to impact brain function and regulate behaviour during ageing. Studies have shown that there are disparate rates of biologic ageing despite equivalencies in chronologic age, including in the development of neurodegenerative diseases, which suggests that environmental factors may play an important role in determining health outcomes in ageing. Recent evidence demonstrates that the gut microbiota may be a potential novel target to ameliorate symptoms of brain ageing and promote healthy cognition. This review highlights the current knowledge around the relationships between the gut microbiota and host brain ageing, including potential contributions to age-related neurodegenerative diseases. Furthermore, we assess key areas for which gut microbiota-based strategies may present as opportunities for intervention.

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a disorder of gut–brain interaction with a complex pathophysiology. Growing evidence suggests that alterations of the gut microenvironment, including microbiota composition and function, may be involved in symptom generation. Therefore, attempts to modulate the gut microenvironment have provided promising results as an indirect approach for IBS management. Antibiotics, probiotics, prebiotics, food and faecal microbiota transplantation are the main strategies for alleviating IBS symptom severity by modulating gut microbiota composition and function (eg. metabolism), gut barrier integrity and immune activity, although with varying efficacy. In this narrative review, we aim to provide an overview of the current approaches targeting the gut microenvironment in order to indirectly manage IBS symptoms.