Meta-Analysis Study of the Effects of Yeast Probiotic Supplementation on Milk Production and Energy Corrected Milk of Lactating Dairy Cows

The aim of this study was to use a meta-analytic approach to evaluate the effect of commercially available yeast probiotic “Actisaf®; Sc 47” (Saccharomyces cerevisiae CNCM I-4407) produced and marketed by Phileo by Lesaffre on milk performance in dairy cows. Data from 22 trials including 17 with parallel designs and 5 with cross-over designs were collected, and only data with parallel designs were analyzed. From those trials, 4 are published and 13 are from technical reports. In total, 34 comparisons and 1074 dairy cows met the criteria for inclusion in the final analysis of milk yield (MY). For energy corrected milk (ECM), six trials with 12 comparisons and 476 dairy cows met the criteria for inclusion in the final analysis. Because the data are from different trials with different conditions, the statistical model defined includes the fixed effect of the treatment (with vs. without Actisaf® Sc 47) and the random effect of the trial. The meta-analysis showed a moderate heterogeneity for MY and ECM. The random effect meta-analysis showed an estimated mean difference +1.72 kg/d [95% confidence interval (CI): 1.01 to 2.44] and +2.45 kg/d (95% CI: 1.73 to 3.17) for MY and ECM respectively, in favour of Actisaf® Sc 47. The analysis of data without trials conducted under heat stress conditions showed positive effect of Actisaf® Sc 47. The random effect meta-analysis showed an estimated mean difference of +1.69 kg/d [95% CI: 1.24 to 2.14] and +2.92 kg/d (95% CI: 2.45 to 3.40) for MY and ECM respectively, in favour of Actisaf® Sc 47. These observations provide strong evidence that this commercially available yeast probiotic can significantly improve milk performances of dairy cows under different conditions.

Probiotic yeasts: Anti-inflammatory potential of various non-pathogenic strains in experimental colitis in mice

AIM: To evaluate the in vitro immunomodulation capacity of various non-pathogenic yeast strains and to investigate the ability of some of these food grade yeasts to prevent experimental colitis in mice.METHODS: In vitro immunomodulation was assessed by measuring cytokines [interleukin (IL)-12p70,IL-10,tumor necrosis factor and interferon γ] released by human peripheral blood mononuclear cells after 24 h stimulation with 6 live yeast strains (Saccharomyces ssp.) and with bacterial reference strains.A murine model of acute 2-4-6-trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid (TNBS)-colitis was next used to evaluate the distinct prophylactic protective capacities of three yeast strains compared with the performance of prednisolone treatment.RESULTS: The six yeast strains all showed similar non-discriminating anti-inflammatory potential when tested on immunocompetent cells in vitro .However,although they exhibited similar colonization patterns in vivo ,some yeast strains showed significant anti-inflammatory activities in the TNBS-induced colitis model,whereas others had weaker or no preventive effect at all,as evidenced by colitis markers (body-weight loss,macroscopic and histological scores,myeloperoxidase activities and blood inflammatory markers).CONCLUSION: A careful selection of strains is required among the biodiversity of yeasts for specific clinical studies,including applications in inflammatory bowel disease and other therapeutic uses.

Saccharomyces cerevisiae I-3856 in irritable bowel syndrome with predominant constipation

BACKGROUND Probiotics are a promising solution for managing irritable bowel syndrome(IBS).Saccharomyces cerevisiae(S.cerevisiae)I-3856 has already demonstrated beneficial effects in IBS subjects,particularly in IBS with predominant constipation(IBS-C).AIM To confirm the efficacy of S.cerevisiae I-3856 in the management of gastrointestinal symptoms in IBS-C.METHODS A randomized,double-blind,placebo-controlled clinical study was performed in a total of 456 subjects.After a run-in period,subjects were randomly assigned to the group receiving S.cerevisiae I-3856(8×109 CFU daily)or the placebo for 8 wk,and they performed daily self-evaluations of gastrointestinal symptoms.The primary objective was to assess the effect of the probiotic on abdominal pain.The secondary objectives were the evaluation of other gastrointestinal symptoms,bowel movement frequency and consistency,and quality of life(QOL).RESULTS A significantly higher proportion of abdominal pain responders was reported in the Probiotic group(45.1%vs 33.9%,P=0.017).A nonsignificant difference in the area under the curve for abdominal pain over the second month of supplementation was observed in subjects receiving probiotic vs placebo[P=0.073,95%CI:-0.59(-1.23;0.05)].No statistically significant differences were reported in the evolution of bowel movement frequency and stool consistency between the groups.After 8 wk of supplementation,the overall QOL score was significantly higher in the Probiotic group than in the Placebo group[P=0.047,95%CI:3.86(0.52;7.20)].Furthermore,exploratory analyses showed statistically significant and clinically relevant improvements in QOL scores in abdominal pain responders vs nonresponders.CONCLUSION The results of this clinical study confirmed the abdominal pain alleviation properties of S.cerevisiae I-3856 in IBS-C.Abdominal pain relief was associated with improved QOL.ClinicalTrials.gov identifier:NCT03150212.