A mixture of Lactobacillus plantarum CECT 7315 and CECT 7316 enhances systemic immunity in elderly subjects. A dose-response, double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized pilot trial.

BACKGROUND & AIM: Immunosenescence can increase morbi-mortality. Lactic acid producing bacteria may improve immunity and reduce morbidity and mortality in the elderly. We aimed to investigate the effects of a mixture of two new probiotic strains of Lactobacillus plantarum--CECT 7315 and 7316--on systemic immunity in elderly. METHODS: 50 institutionalized elderly subjects were randomized, in a double-blind fashion, to receive for 12 weeks 1) 5·10(8) cfu/day of L. plantarum CECT7315/7316 ("low probiotic dose") (n = 13), 2) 5·10(9) cfu/day of the probiotic mixture ("high probiotic dose") (n = 19), or 3) placebo (n = 15). Leukocyte subpopulations, and cytokine levels (IL-1 , IL-10, TGF-ß1) were measured in venous blood at baseline, end of treatment (week 12), and end of follow-up (week 24). Infection and survival rates were recorded. RESULTS: After treatment, high probiotic dose resulted in significant increases in the percentages of activated potentially T-suppressor (CD8+CD25+) and NK (CD56+ CD16+) cells, while low probiotic dose increased activated T-helper lymphocytes (CD4+CD25+), B lymphocytes (CD19+), and antigen presenting cells (HLA-DR+). Also, plasma TGF-ß1 concentration significantly decreased after treatment with both probiotic doses. Most of these changes remained 12 weeks after probiotic discontinuation. Incidence of infections during treatment showed a significant trend to be lower in the high probiotic dose group. In addition, there was a significant trend for mortality to be greater in the placebo group vs. both probiotic groups. CONCLUSIONS: Depending on the dose, L. plantarum CECT7315/7316 have different immune-enhancing effects in elderly subjects. These effects might result in a better clinical outcome.

A mixture of Lactobacillus plantarum CECT 7315 and CECT 7316 enhances systemic immunity in elderly subjects. A dose-response,double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized pilot trial / Una mezcla de Lactobacillus plantarum CECT 7315 y CECT 7316 mejora la inmunidad sistémica en ancianos. Un ensayo aleatorio piloto, de dosis-respuesta, doble ciego y controlado con placebo

Background & aim: Immunosenescence can increase morbi-mortality. Lactic acid producing bacteria may improve immunity and reduce morbidity and mortality in the elderly. We aimed to investigate the effects of a mixture of two new probiotic strains of Lactobacillus plantarum-CECT 7315 and 7316- on systemic immunity in elderly. Methods: 50 institutionalized elderly subjects were randomized, in a double-blind fashion, to receive for 12 weeks 1) 5·108 cfu/day of L. plantarum CECT7315/7316 ("low probiotic dose") (n = 13), 2) 5·109 cfu/day of the probiotic mixture ("high probiotic dose") (n = 19), or 3) placebo (n = 15). Leukocyte subpopulations, and cytokine levels (IL-1 , IL-10, TGF-β1) were measured in venous blood at baseline, end of treatment (week 12), and end of follow-up (week 24). Infection and survival rates were recorded. Results: After treatment, high probiotic dose resulted in significant increases in the percentages of activated potentially T-suppressor (CD8+CD25+) and NK (CD56+ CD16+) cells, while low probiotic dose increased activated T-helper lymphocytes (CD4+CD25+), B lymphocytes (CD19+), and antigen presenting cells (HLA-DR+). Also, plasma TGF-β1 concentration significantly decreased after treatment with both probiotic doses. Most of these changes remained 12 weeks after probiotic discontinuation. Incidence of infections during treatment showed a significant trend to be lower in the high probiotic dose group. In addition, there was a significant trend for mortality to be greater in the placebo group vs. both probiotic groups. Conclusions: Depending on the dose, L. plantarum CECT7315/7316 have different immune-enhancing effects in elderly subjects. These effects might result in a better clinical outcome (AU)

Introducción y objetivos: La inmunosenescencia puede aumentar la morbi-mortalidad. Las bacterias productoras de ácido láctico pueden mejorar la inmunidad y disminuir la morbilidad y mortalidad en los ancianos. Nuestro objetivo fue investigar los efectos de una mezcla de dos nuevas cepas probióticas de Lactobacillus plantarum -CECT 7315 y 7316- sobre la inmunidad sistémica en ancianos. Métodos: 50 ancianos institucionalizados se aleatorizaron, en un diseño a doble-ciego, para recibir durante 12 semanas 1) 5·108 ufc/día de L. plantarum CECT7315/ 7316 ("dosis baja de probiótico") (n = 13), 2) 5·109 ufc/día de la mezcla probiótica ("dosis alta de probiótico") (n = 19), o 3) placebo (n = 15). Se determinaron las subpoblaciones leucocitarias y los niveles de citokinas (IL-1 , IL-10, TGF-β1) en sangre venosa periférica basalmente, al final del tratamiento (sem. 12) y al final del seguimiento (sem. 24). Se registró la tasa de infecciones y la mortalidad. Resultados: Tras el tratamiento, la dosis alta de probiótico indujo aumentos significativos en los porcentajes de células potencialmente T-supresoras (CD8+CD25+) y NK (CD56+CD16+) activadas, en tanto que la dosis baja aumento los linfocitos T-colaboradores activados (CD4+CD25+), los linfocitos B (CD19+), y las células presentadoras de antígeno (HLA-DR+). Asimismo, la concentración plasmática de TGF-β1 disminuyó tras el tratamiento con ambas dosis de probiótico. La mayor parte de estos cambios se mantuvieron 12 semanas después de suspender el tratamiento. La incidencia de infecciones durante el tratamiento mostró una tendencia significativa a ser menor con la dosis alta de probiótico, mientras que se observó una tendencia significativa a que la mortalidad fuera mayor el grupo placebo vs. ambos grupos tratados con probiótico. Conclusiones: Dependiendo de la dosis, L. plantarum CECT7315/7316 tiene distintos efectos inmunoestimulantes en ancianos. Dichos efectos podrían contribuir a una mejor evolución clínica (AU)

Nutritional status among adult patients admitted to an university-affiliated hospital in Spain at the time of genoma.

BACKGROUND: Although malnutrition in hospitalized patients is generally associated with increasing morbidity and mortality, it is yet a widely unknown problem in hospitals. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to assess the nutritional status of patients admitted to a university-affiliated hospital in Spain using anthropometry measurements and the Subjective Global Assessment (SGA) technique. METHODS: We enrolled 400 patients selected at random using a computer software program. The primary end-point was nutritional status determined within 48 h of admission by anthropometric data (body mass index, triceps skinfold thickness, and upper arm muscle circumference) and by the SGA technique. Using anthropometric data, patients were considered to have normonutrition or malnutrition. Those with malnutrition, were subdivided in patients with low (undernutrition) or high (overnutrition) body weight. Through SGA patients were classified as having normonutrition or malnutrition (moderate and severe). Secondary end-points were hospital length of stay (LOS), mortality, and readmissions (total and non-elective readmissions) over the next 6 months. Overall population, patients scheduled admitted, patients admitted from emergency room, and those with any cancer were individually analyzed. RESULTS: The frequency of malnutrition varied from 72.7% assessed by anthropometry (undernutrition in 26.7% and overnutrition in 46.0%), to 46% using SGA. Malnutrition was not related to the type of admission neither to the diagnosis of cancer. Of 400 patients analyzed, two patients died (0.5%). Using SGA, LOS was significantly higher in patients with malnutrition vs. those with normonutrition, in the overall population and in patients scheduled admitted, and there were more total and non-elective readmissions in patients with malnutrition than in patients with normonutrition in the overall population, in patients scheduled admitted and in those with cancer. When we used anthropometric data, LOS was superior in undernutrition compared to normo and overnutrition in scheduled admitted patients alone. Although there were more total readmissions in undernutrition than in normonutrition and overnutrition in overall population, no significant differences were observed with the non-elective readmission rate. CONCLUSIONS: A high prevalence of malnutrition was found in this study. At a time, a high prevalence of overnutrition was observed. Anthropometric data and SGA technique are not concordant, reflecting the limitations of markers of nutritional status. While with SGA malnutrition was detected in patients with normal to high BMI, with anthropometry overnutrition was diagnosed. SGA seems to be more accurate than anthropometry to anticipate hospital LOS and readmission rate. Due to the increased LOS and readmission rates found in patients with malnutrition, further steps among health care professionals are warranted to identify and control them.

Micronutrient supplementation in mild Alzheimer disease patients.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate if nutritional supplementation with or without micronutrient enhancement prevent weight loss and the progression of the disease in mild Alzheimer's Disease (AD) patients. DESIGN: Mild AD patients were recruited from an Alzheimer Day Centre. Subjects received oral liquid supplements with (Study-group: S) or without (Control-group: C) micronutrient enhancement. Intake assessment, nutritional status, biochemical parameters, cognitive function, and eating behaviour disorders were determined at baseline and at 6 months of treatment. RESULTS: At baseline both groups were not different in any variable measured. They were norm nourished, with normal biochemical parameters. Blandford scale demonstrated a mild alteration of feeding behaviour, the cognitive scale classified the patients as impaired and there was presence of memory complaints. After 6 months of nutritional supplements, a similar increase in energy consumption was observed in both groups of patients (P<0.05). In the within-group analysis, we found a trend (P=0.05) to increase body mass index; a significant increase in triceps skin fold thickness, mid-upper-arm circumference and serum magnesium, zinc and selenium, and a significant reduction in serum vitamin E (P<0.001, each). Serum cholesterol decreased substantially only in the S-group (P=0.025). No significant differences at baseline, within-group, neither between-group analysis in feeding behaviour nor in cognitive function were observed. CONCLUSIONS: According to our results no benefits in the progression of the disease was observed with micronutrient enhancement supplements. Effectiveness of nutritional supplements in preventing weight loss in mild AD patients showed a similar behaviour as observed in other populations. Due to the beneficial evolution of serum cholesterol in the S-group, this intervention deserves further investigation.