Effects ofLactobacillus gasseriOLL2809 and α-lactalbumin on university-student athletes: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial

Abstract

Strenuous exercise reduces immune cell function and increases the risk of respiratory and gastrointestinal infections. In addition, it affects mood state and causes physical fatigue. Athletes require both mental and physical conditioning to execute good performance. In this study, we conducted a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial to evaluate the immunopotentiation and fatigue-alleviation effects of Lactobacillus gasseri OLL2809 (LG2809) and α-lactalbumin (αLA) in university-student athletes after strenuous exercise. A total of 44 university students who performed strenuous exercise daily were separated into 3 groups to receive a 4-week course of placebo, 100 mg LG2809, or 100 mg LG2809 in combination with 900 mg αLA, respectively. Before and after each dietary treatment, the subjects performed strenuous cycle ergometer exercise for 1 h. Before and after each exercise session, blood samples and visual analogue scale scores for fatigue were obtained. In addition, the mood of each subject before and after the dietary treatment was evaluated using the Profile of Mood States (POMS) questionnaire. LG2809 ingestion was effective in preventing reduced natural killer cell activity due to strenuous exercise and elevating mood from a depressed state. In addition, LG2809 + αLA was found to alleviate minor resting fatigue, which was supported objectively by the significant reduction in the serum reactive oxygen metabolites and transforming growth factor β1 levels. These effects could be helpful for athletes to maintain mental and physical condition.

Effects of Daily Probiotic Supplementation on Football Player’s Stress and Anxiety

“…The sample size was estimated referring to previous research such as Kelly et al [31], and Sashihara et al [32] which are similar to the present study. In the study conducted by Allen et al [33], stated that to achieve 80% power for a one-way ANOVA, a minimum sample size of 20 was required to demonstrate an effect size of 0.3 at the significance level of 0.05.…”

“…A study conducted by Yang [38] with laryngeal cancer patients, the anxiety level of the patients were lowered significantly before the surgery after exposed to two weeks of probiotic supplementation. Another study conducted by Sashihara [32] using university athletes who daily undergone strenuous training showed significant decrement of tension anxiety scores in profiling mood states (POMS). Furthermore, Rao [39], conducted a study to find the effect of probiotics on anxiety and depression using chronic fatigue syndrome patients and results were significantly lowered after 8 weeks similar to the present study.…”

Antidepressive Mechanisms of Probiotics and Their Therapeutic Potential

“…Supplementation of L. gasseri improved mood (Sashihara et al, 2013) and depressive-like symptoms in stressed individuals. However, no studies have evaluated the effect of L. gasseri on clinically depressed individuals.…”

Psychobiotics and the Manipulation of Bacteria–Gut–Brain Signals

“…Two weeks post-examination, the probiotic group showed significantly higher faecal serotonin, though the psychological implications of this change are less clear. Another study found that, relative to placebo, student athletes ( n  = 44) fed Lactobacillus gasseri OLL2809 LG2809 showed elevated mood and reduced natural killer cell activity after strenuous exercise, with some additional alleviation of fatigue when the probiotic was consumed alongside α-lactalbumin [37]. These results suggest that probiotics may have ecologically relevant benefits and the potential to enhance performance on some important life activities.…”