Corrigendum: A randomized controlled trial to examine the impact of a multi-strain probiotic on self-reported indicators of depression, anxiety, mood, and associated biomarkers.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.3389/fnut.2023.1219313.].

A randomized controlled trial to examine the impact of a multi-strain probiotic on self-reported indicators of depression, anxiety, mood, and associated biomarkers.

Objective: To examine the efficacy of supplementing with a multi-strain probiotic (MSP) on changes associated with mood, anxiety, and neurotransmitter levels. Method: In a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled fashion, 70 healthy men and women (31.0 ± 9.5 years, 173.0 ± 10.4 cm, 73.9 ± 13.8 kg, 24.6 ± 3.5 kg/m2) supplemented with a single capsule of MSP (a total daily dose of 4 × 109 colony forming units [CFU] comprised of a 1 × 109 CFU dose from each of the following strains: Limosilactobacillus fermentum LF16, Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus LR06, Lactiplantibacillus plantarum LP01, and Bifidobacterium longum 04, Probiotical S.p.A., Novara, Italy) or a maltodextrin placebo (PLA). After 0, 2, 4, and 6 weeks of supplementation and 3 weeks after ceasing supplementation, study participants completed the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI-II), State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), and Leiden Index of Depression Sensitivity (LEIDS-R) questionnaires and had plasma concentrations of cortisol, dopamine, serotonin, and C-reactive protein determined. Results: BDI, STAI, and total LEIDS-R scores were reduced from baseline (p < 0.05) with MSP supplementation after 4 and 6 weeks of supplementation and 3 weeks after supplementation while no changes (p > 0.05) were reported in PLA. When compared to PLA, MSP scores for state anxiety, trait anxiety, and LEIDS-R (hopeless, aggression, rumination, and total score) were significantly lower (p < 0.05) after supplementation. Plasma serotonin concentrations in MSP were increased from baseline after 6 weeks of supplementation and 3 weeks after ceasing supplementation. No changes (p > 0.05) in plasma dopamine, C-reactive protein, or cortisol concentrations were observed between groups. Conclusion: MSP supplementation resulted in widespread improvements in several questionnaires evaluating mood, anxiety, and depression in young, healthy men and women. MSP supplementation increased serotonin increased after 6 weeks of MSP supplementation with no change in dopamine, C-reactive protein, or cortisol. Clinical trial registration: https://classic.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT05343533, NCT05343533.

Dose-Response Absorption Kinetics of Oral L-Beta-Aminoisobutyric Acid (L-BAIBA) Supplementation in Healthy Men and Women.

L-Beta-amino isobutyric acid (L-BAIBA) is a myokine produced in skeletal muscle during exercise and has been shown to impact carbohydrate and fat metabolism in both animals and humans. This study was designed to determine the rate and extent to which L-BAIBA appeared in human plasma after oral ingestion. In a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover fashion, six males and 6 females (N = 12; 24 ± 5 yrs; 173.6 ± 12.0 cm; 72.3 ± 11.3 kg; 21.0 ± 7.0 body fat %) completed a single-dose supplementation protocol of placebo (PLA), L-BAIBA at 250 mg (B250), 500 mg (B500), 1,500mg (B1500), and 1,500mg of valine (V1500). Participants fasted overnight (8-10 h) and consumed their dose with 8-12 fluid ounces of cold water. Venous blood samples were collected 0, 30, 60, 90, 120, 180, 240 and 300 min after ingestion and analyzed for L-BAIBA. Complete blood counts and comprehensive metabolic panels were analyzed 0 and 300 min after ingestion. Peak concentration (CMax) and area under the curve (AUC) were calculated for all variables. Baseline L-BAIBA levels were not different between conditions (p = 0.46). The observed AUC for B1500 (30,513 ± 9190 µM•300 min) was significantly higher than B500 (11,087 ± 3378 µM•300 min, p < 0.001), B250 (7081 ± 2535 µM•300 min, p < 0.001), V1500 (2837 ± 2107 µM•300 min, p < 0.001), and PLA (2836 ± 2061 µM•300 min, p < 0.001). Similarly, L-BAIBA CMax for B1500 (278.1 ± 52.1 µM) was significantly higher than all other supplement conditions: B500 (95.4 ± 33.5 µM, p < 0.001), B250 (63.3 ± 61.1 µM, p < 0.001), V1500 (10.1 ± 7.2 µM, p < 0.001), PLA (11.0 ± 7.1 µM, p = 0.001). AUC and CMax for B500 was significantly higher than B250 (p < 0.001), V1500 (p < 0.001), and PLA (p < 0.001). BAIBA AUC for B250 was significantly higher than V1500 (p < 0.001) and PLA (p < 0.001). No clinically significant changes in blood-based markers of health or adverse events were observed across the study protocol. L-BAIBA doses of 250 mg, 500 mg, and 1500 mg produced significantly greater concentrations of plasma L-BAIBA across a five-hour measurement window when compared to a 1500 mg dose of valine or a placebo. Follow-up efficacy studies on resting and exercise metabolism should be completed to assess the impact of L-BAIBA supplementation in normal weight and overweight individuals. Retrospectively registered on April 22, 2022 at ClinicalTrials.gov as NCT05328271.

Probiotic BC30 Improves Amino Acid Absorption from Plant Protein Concentrate in Older Women.

Weizmannia coagulans GBI-30, 6086 (BC30) has previously been shown to increase protein digestion in an in vitro model of the stomach and small intestine and amino acid appearance in healthy men and women after ingestion of milk protein concentrate. The impact of ingesting BC30 with other protein sources or in other demographics is largely unknown. The purpose of this study was to examine the impact of adding BC30 to a 20-g dose of a blend of rice and pea protein on postprandial changes in blood amino acids concentrations in healthy, older women. Healthy, older females (n = 30, 58.5 ± 5.2 years, 165.4 ± 6.8 cm, 65.6 ± 8.8 kg, 23.7 ± 3.2 kg/m2) completed two separate 14-day supplementation protocols separated by a 3-week washout period. Participants were instructed to ingest a 20-g protein dose of a blend of rice and pea protein concentrates (ProDiem Plant Protein Solutions, Kerry) with (PPCBC30) or without (PPC) the addition of 1 × 109 CFU BC30 (Kerry). Body composition and demographics were assessed upon arrival to the laboratory. Upon ingestion of their final assigned supplemental dose, blood samples were taken at 0 (baseline), 30-, 60-, 90-, 120-, 180-, and 240-min post-consumption and analyzed for amino acid concentrations. Alanine (p = 0.018), tryptophan (p = 0.003), cysteine (p = 0.041), essential amino acids (p = 0.050), and total amino acids (p = 0.039) all exhibited significantly (p ≤ 0.05) greater AUC with PPCBC30 when compared to PPC. In addition, tryptophan (p = 0.003), cysteine (p = 0.021), essential amino acids (p = 0.049), and total amino acids (p = 0.035) displayed significantly greater (p ≤ 0.05) concentration maximum (CMax) values in PPCBC30 when compared to PPC. Finally, time to reach CMax (TMax) was similar between conditions with 80% of all measured amino acids and amino acid combinations achieving CMax at a similar time (~ 60 min). Only phenylalanine TMax was found to be different (p = 0.01) between the two conditions with PPC displaying a greater proportion of TMax values after 30 min. Following qualitative (non-inferential) assessment, 88% of all measured outcomes achieved a higher AUC with PPCBC30 and 100% of all outcomes achieved a higher CMax with PPCBC30. In concert with previous findings in a younger mixed gender cohort with milk protein, the addition of BC30 to a daily 20-g dose of plant protein concentrate in healthy older women improved AUC and CMax values in several individual amino acids and amino acid combinations. Retrospectively registered on April 6, 2022, at ClinicalTrials.gov as NCT05313178.

Metabolic impact of feeding prior to a 60-min bout of moderate-intensity exercise in females in a fasted state.

Background: The metabolic impact of pre-exercise feeding of protein or carbohydrate on fat oxidation and energy expenditure rates, especially, in females, is poorly understood. Methods: Recreationally active females (n = 15, 32 ± 10 years, 164.8 ± 5.6 cm, 63.5 ± 9.3 kg, 23.4 ± 3.2 kg/m2) completed four testing sessions in a randomized, double-blind, crossover fashion after fasting overnight. Participants ingested isovolumetric and isoenergetic solutions containing either 25 g of whey protein, casein protein, carbohydrate (CHO), or a non-caloric placebo (PLA). Participants then completed 60 min of treadmill exercise at 15% below ventilatory threshold 30 min after ingestion. Respiratory exchange ratio (RER) was evaluated throughout exercise and resting energy expenditure (REE) was assessed pre-exercise, and 0-, 60-, and 120-min post-exercise. Results: A significant condition x time interaction was observed for RER (p = 0.008) during exercise, with CHO exhibiting higher RER values (vs. PLA) at four time points. A significant main effect for condition was observed for carbohydrate (p = 0.001) and fat (p = 0.02) oxidation rates during exercise, with fat oxidation rates being higher in PLA vs. CHO (p = 0.01). When total fat oxidized was calculated across the entire exercise bout, a significant main effect for condition was observed (p = 0.01), with PLA being greater than CHO (p = 0.04). A significant condition x time interaction (p = 0.02) was found for both absolute and normalized REE, with casein and whey protein having significantly higher values than CHO (p < 0.05) immediately post-exercise. Conclusion: When compared to a fasted control (PLA), consuming CHO, but not protein, decreased total fat oxidation prior to a 60-min bout of moderate-intensity exercise in females.