Probiotic supplementation increases carbohydrate metabolism in trained male cyclists: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover trial

Abstract

Background In vitro and animal studies suggest probiotic supplementation can enhance intestinal absorption and whole body oxidation rates of glucose. Objective This study investigated the effects of multi‐strain probiotics supplementation on substrate utilization, markers of gastrointestinal permeability and damage and subjective symptoms of discomfort and performance during endurance cycling. Methods and Design Nine male cyclists (age 23 ± 4 yrs, V̇O2max 62.1 ± 4.7 mL·kg−1·min−1) were randomized to two periods of daily supplementation with a probiotics capsule (25 billion CFU of Lactobacillus acidophilus (CUL60 and CUL21), Bifidobacterium bifidum (CUL20), Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis (CUL34), Proven Probiotics) or placebo for four weeks, separated by a 14‐day washout period (double‐blind cross‐over trial). After each supplementation period, cyclists consumed a 10% maltodextrin solution (initial 8 mL·kg−1 bolus at commencement of exercise and 2 mL·kg−1 every subsequent 15 min) while exercising for 120 minutes at 55% Wmax. This was followed immediately by a 100 kJ time trial performance test. Markers of GI permeability, damage and GI discomfort were assessed. Oxidation rates of the ingested maltodextrin drinks were calculated from the 13C‐enrichment of plasma glucose and breath 13CO2 production during the 120 minutes exercise period. Results Probiotic supplementation resulted in an increase of total carbohydrate (CHO) oxidation (2.12 ± 0.30 vs 1.81 ± 0.44 g·min1, P = 0.019) and the peak oxidation of an ingested maltodextrin drink (0.84 ± 0.10 vs 0.77 ± 0.09 g·min−1 of glucose equivalents, P = 0.016) during exercise. Total fat oxidation was reduced following probiotic supplementation compared to placebo (P = 0.004). There were also significant differences in plasma insulin, NEFA and glycerol between trials. Differences between markers of GI damage and permeability were not significant, as was time trial performance (P > 0.05). Conclusions Probiotic supplementation enhances total and ingested CHO oxidation while simultaneously attenuating total fat oxidation during moderate intensity cycling. Probiotic supplementation did not change GI symptoms, time trial performance and markers of intestinal damage and permeability. This abstract is from the Experimental Biology 2019 Meeting. There is no full text article associated with this abstract published in The FASEB Journal.

Recent advances in clinical probiotic research for sport

“…However, absorption of ingested large amounts of carbohydrate during exercise is limited by transport systems within the gut. To test whether a probiotic could increase the absorption and oxidation of maltodextrin, Pugh and colleagues had a small group of trained male cyclists perform a 2-h cycling challenge before and after 4 weeks of supplementation with a multistrain probiotic (25 × 10 9 CFU) or placebo using a double blind, randomized controlled, crossover design [ 18 ]. Probiotic supplementation led to a small but significant increase in total carbohydrate oxidation in the 60–120-min exercise periods and the oxidation of the consumed maltodextrin drink, as well as significant increases in the plasma glucose and insulin concentration.…”

Plasma Amino Acid Response to Whey Protein Ingestion Following 28 Days of Probiotic (Bacillus subtilis DE111) Supplementation in Active Men and Women

“…Administration of beneficial bacteria by the use of probiotics has been shown to promote mucosal and epithelial health of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, providing a barrier excluding and eliminating various antigens. Evidence suggests that probiotics are an effective strategy to delay or prevent upper respiratory tract infections [ 1 , 2 , 3 ], reduce indices of GI discomfort during exercise [ 4 ], and improve carbohydrate utilization during prolonged cycling [ 5 ]. While a bulk of the literature regarding probiotics pertains to endurance athletes, data is emerging that suggests that probiotics may provide a benefit in the adaptation and recovery of athletes engaged in resistance or team sport training [ 6 , 7 ].…”

Nutritional considerations to counteract gastrointestinal permeability during exertional heat stress

“…Seven days of Lactobacillus casei intake had no beneficial effect on plasma endotoxin concentration after 2 h moderate-intensity exercise in the heat (139). Twenty-eight days of multistrain probiotic had no effect on serum lactulose/rhamnose ratio or plasma I-FABP after a simulated marathon (140) nor >2 h of cycling in temperate conditions (141). Similarly, daily supplementation with a multistrain probiotic for 12 wk had no significant effect on serum LPS concentration and the urinary lactulose/rhamnose ratio after running to fatigue in a hot environment (91).…”

“…There is little direct evidence that probiotic supplementation improves gut barrier integrity in athletes; on the contrary, negative responses (increase in plasma endotoxin concentrations) were reported in one study (139). It is important to note that the exercise challenge and/or heat stress employed were sufficient in most (91,136,138,140), but not all (139,141) studies to induce significant increases in at least one marker of gut permeability. However, only two studies employed protocols in hot environmental conditions (34-35 C) (91,139) and Tc was rarely measured.…”