Short-Term, Daily Intake Of Yogurt Containing Bifidobacterium Animalis Ssp. Lactis Bf-6 (Lmg 24384) Does Not Affect Colonic Transit Time In Women

The present study investigated the effect of Bifidobacterium animalis ssp. lactis Bf-6 (LMG 24384) (Bf-6)-supplemented yogurt on colonic transit time (CTT). A triple-blinded, randomised, placebo-controlled, two-period cross-over trial was conducted with sixty-eight women with a self-reported history of straining during bowel movements or hard or lumpy stools in the past 2 years. As per regulatory requirements for probiotic studies, eligible women were generally healthy and not actively constipated at the time of enrolment. Participants consumed both Bf-6 and placebo yogurts for 14d each in a randomised order, with a 6-week washout period between the treatments. The primary outcome, CTT, was assessed via Sitz marker X-rays. The average CTT was 42 center dot 1h for the active period and 43 center dot 3h for the control period (mean difference 1 center dot 2h, 95% CI -4 center dot 9, 7 center dot 4). Since the statistical tests for the cross-over study implied that the mean CTT for the active and control periods in period 2 were biased, the standard protocol suggests examining the results of only period 1 as a traditional randomised controlled trial. This showed that the mean CTT was 35 center dot 2h for the active period v. 52 center dot 9h for the control period (P=0 center dot 015). Bootstrapping demonstrated that both the mean and median differences remained significant (P=0 center dot 016 and P=0 center dot 045, respectively). Few adverse events were noted, with no differences among the active and control periods. The paired analysis showed no differences between the active and control periods during the cross-over trial. Further trials should be conducted in populations with underlying problems associated with disordered transit to determine the potential value of probiotic supplementation more accurately.