Backgrounds/Aims: To clarify the usefulness of Lactobacillus casei strain Shirota (LcS)-fermented milk in the normalization of bowel movements and improvement of infection control for the elderly residents and staff of facilities for the elderly. Methods: A randomized placebo-controlled double-blind test was performed among the elderly residents (average age, 85) and staff members (average age, 37) of facilities for the elderly. The participants randomly received either LcS-fermented milk or a placebo beverage once daily for 6 months. Clinical data and enteric conditions were compared between the 2 groups. Results: A significantly lower incidence of fever and improved bowel movements were seen in the LcS-fermented milk group (n = 36) in comparison to the placebo group (n = 36). The numbers of Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus were significantly higher (p < 0.01), the numbers of destructive bacteria such as Clostridium difficile were significantly lower (p < 0.05), and the fecal acetic acid concentration and total acidity were significantly higher in the LcS group. A significant difference in the intestinal microbiota, fecal acetic acid, and pH was also observed between the LcS and placebo groups among the facility's staff members. Conclusions: The long-term consumption of LcS-fermented milk may be useful for decreasing the daily risk of infection and improving the quality of life among the residents and staff of facilities for the elderly.
Oren-gedoku-to is a Chinese medicine with hypotensive activity, hemostatic actions and the ability to augment cerebral blood flow. It is therefore expected to be useful in patients with hypertension and cerebrovascular accident (CVA). These effects of Oren-gedoku-to on platelet aggregation and coagulation-fibrinolysis were evaluated. A significant decline in platelet aggregation rate in both healthy control and patient plasma in response to Oren-gedoku-to was found. Maximal platelet aggregation time shortened, however, in healthy controls, but was prolonged in 8 of 20 patients with CVA, in particular those with cerebral infarction.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.