The Effect of 2 Weeks of Inactivated Probiotic Bacillus coagulans on Endocrine, Inflammatory, and Performance Responses During Self-Defense Training in Soldiers

Abstract

Hoffman, JR, Hoffman, MW, Zelicha, H, Gepner, Y, Willoughby, DS, Feinstein, U, and Ostfeld, I. The Effect of 2-Weeks of Inactivated Probiotic Bacillus coagulans on Endocrine, Inflammatory and Performance Responses During Self-Defense Training in Soldiers. J Strength Cond Res 33(9): 2330–2337, 2019—The effect of 2 weeks of inactivated Bacillus coagulans (iBC) ingestion on performance and inflammatory cytokines was examined during a self-defense course in soldiers. Sixteen male soldiers were randomly assigned to either iBC (n = 8) or placebo (PL; n = 8) in this double-blind study. Participants were garrisoned on base and participated in the same training tasks. Assessments were conducted in a single day before (PRE) and after the supplementation period (POST). During each testing session, participants were assessed for vertical jump power (VJP), muscle endurance, simulated casualty drag, and 2 100-m shuttle runs. Resting blood measures for testosterone, cortisol, creatine kinase, and inflammatory cytokines were also assessed. Mann-Whitney analysis of change (Δ) scores indicated no significant change (p's > 0.05) in any of the performance or blood variables. However, a trend (p = 0.089) was noted in the Δ score for VJP in iBC compared with PL. In addition, trends were observed in the change in IL-10 (p = 0.057) and IFNγ (p = 0.057). Magnitude based inferential analysis indicated that changes in VJP and simulated casualty drag were likely beneficial (90.7 and 80.4% likelihood effect, respectively) for iBC. In addition, iBC supplementation very likely augmented IL-10 concentrations, but was possibly negative for changes in IL-6, and likely negative for changes in TNFα and IFNγ. Changes in all other performance and blood markers were unclear. Results indicated that 2 weeks of iBC supplementation appeared to be beneficial for maintaining power and short-term speed performance, while attenuating the inflammatory response during intense training in a military self-defense course.

The International Scientific Association of Probiotics and Prebiotics (ISAPP) consensus statement on the definition and scope of postbiotics

“…No benefits were seen in terms of modulating gut barrier function in 25 patients with increased permeability secondary to obstructive jaundice treated with inactivated Lactiplantibacillus plantarum (formerly known as Lactobacillus plantarum ) 126 . Other inactivated strains, such as Bacillus coagulans (effect on responses to vigorous exercise among soldiers undergoing self-defence training) 127 , Mycobacterium manresensis (in tuberculosis) 128 , Mycobacterium phlei (in asthma) 129 and H. influenzae (in severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) 130 have also been studied in humans. As is the case with this entire category, data from human studies are limited, are of variable quality and have resulted in varying clinical impacts.…”

Health Benefits of Probiotics in Sport and Exercise - Non-existent or a Matter of Heterogeneity? A Systematic Review

“…Lately, the specific microbial-derived metabolites, such as short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), tryptophan, and retinoic acid, have been described to play a central regulatory role in the interaction of the host's immune response ( 11 ). Moreover, SCFAs may act to improve gut barrier function ( 12 ).…”

“…Gut microbiota compositions differ in athletes compared to sedentary individuals, as the human gut may be influenced by physical activity levels as well as training intensity and competition level ( 12 ). In addition, athlete's diet usually differs from the general population in terms of carbohydrate and protein intake, exerting additional effects on gut microbiota ( 10 , 13 ).…”

Role of Postbiotics in Diabetes Mellitus: Current Knowledge and Future Perspectives

“…Finally, in addition to their use in the food industry and clinical applications, postbiotics have also been exploited in activities as varied as their use in animal health [46,47] or sport performance [48]. It is important to emphasise that, similar to probiotics [18], it is likely that postbiotics properties are species-and strain-specific and depend on the microbial progenitor utilised for their formulation [21,41].…”

“…Finally, in addition to their use in the food industry and clinical applications, postbiotics have also been exploited in activities as varied as their use in animal health [ 46 , 47 ] or sport performance [ 48 ].…”