Biomedical subjects

R Korpela

Publications and source records attributed to R Korpela.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2006

Effects of anti-Helicobacter pylori treatment and probiotic supplementation on intestinal microbiota.

The aims of this study were (i) to evaluate the effect of recommended antimicrobial treatment of Helicobacter pylori infection, consisting of clarithromycin, amoxicillin and lansoprazole, on intestinal microbiota and (ii) to determine the ability of a probiotic combination containing Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG, L. rhamnosus LC705, Propionibacterium freudenreichii ssp. shermanii JS and Bifidobacterium breve Bb99 to prevent treatment-induced alterations in the intestinal microbiota. Faecal samples were obtained from 39 H. pylori-infected patients randomised into two treatment groups. In addition, 19 H. pylori-negative volunteers were included in the study as a control group. Samples were collected before, during and after treatment and microbiota were analysed by fluorescence in situ hybridisation and culture. The quantities of the predominant bacterial groups were altered significantly in both groups and disturbances were seen even 9 weeks after treatment was complete. Probiotics slightly counteracted the effects of anti-H. pylori treatment, seen as significantly less alterations in the total numbers of aerobes and lactobacilli/enterococci. At baseline, the composition of the microbiota between H. pylori-positive versus H. pylori-negative control individuals differed with regard to clostridia and the total number of anaerobes. The recommended treatment for H. pylori infection induces long-term disturbances in the intestinal microbiota. The probiotic combination appeared to result in only minor changes in the microbiota.

2-Pyridinylmethylsulfinylbenzimidazoles↗

PubMed2006

Nutritional modulation of exercise-induced immunodepression in athletes: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Heavy exercise induces marked immunodepression that is multifactorial in origin. Nutrition can modulate normal immune function. OBJECTIVE: To assess the efficacy of nutritional supplements in exercise-induced immunodepression in athletes. DESIGN: Systematic review. REVIEW METHODS: Randomised and/or controlled trials of athletes undertaking nutritional supplements to minimise the immunodepression after exercise were retrieved. The primary outcome measure was incidence of upper respiratory tract (URT) illness symptoms after exercise, and secondary outcomes included cortisol, cell counts, plasma cytokine concentration, cell proliferative response, oxidative burst, natural killer cell activity and immunoglobulins. When data were available for a pooled estimate of the effect of intervention, meta-analyses were conducted for direct comparisons. RESULTS: Forty-five studies were included (1603 subjects). The studies were heterogeneous in terms of exercise interventions, selection of athletes, settings and outcomes. The overall methodological quality of most of the trials was poor. Twenty studies addressed carbohydrate supplementation, eight glutamine, 13 vitamin C and four others interventions. Three trials assessed the effect of intervention on prevention of URT infections. The pooled rate ratio for URT infections after vitamin C supplementation against placebo was 0.49 (0.34-0.71). Carbohydrate supplementation attenuated the increase in cortisol and neutrophils after exercise; vitamin C attenuated the decrease in lymphocytes after exercise. No other interventions had significant or consistent effect on any of the studied outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: Although the prevention of URT infections by vitamin C was supported by two trials, further studies are needed. The available evidence failed to support a role for other nutritional supplements in preventing exercise-induced immune suppression. Larger trials with clinically relevant and uniform end points are necessary to clarify the role of these nutritional interventions.

Cytokines↗

PubMed2006

Effects of low-fat hard cheese enriched with plant stanol esters on serum lipids and apolipoprotein B in mildly hypercholesterolaemic subjects.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the cholesterol-lowering effects of a low-fat cheese enriched with plant stanol esters in mildly hypercholesterolaemic subjects, as part of their normal diet. DESIGN: A randomized double-blind parallel-group study. SETTING: Valio Ltd, Helsinki. SUBJECTS: Sixty-seven mildly hypercholesterolaemic volunteers (24 men, 43 women) participated in the study, which all of them completed. INTERVENTIONS: The subjects were randomly assigned to the plant stanol ester group or the control group. During the 5-week intervention, the subjects in the stanol group consumed a cheese enriched with 2 g of plant stanols per day, and the subjects in the control group, a control cheese with no plant stanols. RESULTS: In the stanol ester group, as compared to the control group, both serum total and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol decreased significantly, that is, by 5.8% (-0.32 mmol/l, 95% CI -0.50 to -0.15 mmol/l, P < 0.001) and 10.3% (-0.36 mmol/l, 95% CI -0.53 to -0.18 mmol/l, P < 0.001), respectively. There were no significant changes in high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL), triglycerides or apolipoprotein B concentrations between the groups. CONCLUSION: Cheese enriched with 2 g of plant stanol in the form of fatty acid esters decreases serum total and LDL cholesterol significantly.

Adult↗

PubMed2006

A combination of fibre-rich rye bread and yoghurt containing Lactobacillus GG improves bowel function in women with self-reported constipation.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to investigate the effects of fibre-rich rye bread and yoghurt containing Lactobacillus GG (LGG) on intestinal transit time and bowel function, and to test whether they have an interaction in cases of self-reported constipation. DESIGN: The study was carried out as a two-by-two factorial design. SETTING: Free-living subjects. SUBJECTS: A total of 59 healthy women with self-reported constipation, recruited by advertisement. INTERVENTIONS: After a baseline period, the subjects were randomized into four diet groups: (1) rye bread+LGG yoghurt, (2) rye bread, (3) LGG yoghurt, and (4) control. The 3-week dietary intervention was followed by a 3-week follow-up period. During each period, total intestinal transit time was measured and the subjects recorded faecal frequency and consistency, difficulty in defecation and gastrointestinal symptoms. RESULTS: The rye bread shortened total intestinal transit time (mean difference, -0.7; CI(95), -1.1 to -0.2; P=0.007), increased faecal frequency (0.3; CI(95), 0.1 to 0.5; P=0.001), softened faeces (-0.3; CI(95), -0.4 to -0.2; P<0.001) and made defecation easier (-0.4; CI(95), -0.5 to -0.2; P<0.001), but also increased gastrointestinal symptoms (1.6; CI(95), 0.7 to 2.4; P<0.001) compared to the low-fibre toast consumed in the LGG and control groups. There were fewer symptoms in the rye bread+LGG group compared to the rye bread group (-1.3; CI(95), -2.4 to -0.2; P=0.027). CONCLUSIONS: Fibre-rich rye bread can be recommended in the treatment of constipation, and the simultaneous consumption of LGG yoghurt relieves the adverse gastrointestinal effects associated with increased intake of fibre. SPONSORSHIP: Valio Ltd, R&D, and Fazer Bakeries Ltd.

Abdominal Pain↗

PubMed2006

Safety aspects and cholesterol-lowering efficacy of low fat dairy products containing plant sterols.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate whether a plant sterol mixture would reduce serum cholesterol when added to low fat dairy products in subjects with hypercholesterolaemia, and to examine the effects of the mixture on the serum plant sterol and fat-soluble vitamin levels. DESIGN: A parallel, double-blind study. SETTING: The study was performed in three different locations in Finland. SUBJECTS: In total, 164 mildly or moderately hypercholesterolaemic subjects participated in the study. METHODS: The subjects were randomly divided into two groups: a plant sterol group and a control group. The subjects consumed the products for 6 weeks after a 3-week run-in period. The targeted plant sterol intake was 2 g/day in the sterol group. RESULTS: During the treatment period, there was a 6.5% reduction in serum total cholesterol in the sterol group while no change was observed in the control group (P<0.0005). Serum low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol was reduced by 10.4% in the sterol group and by 0.6% in the control group (P<0.00005). There was no change during the trial in serum high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol or triacylglycerol concentrations. The HDL/LDL cholesterol ratio increased by 16.1% in the sterol group and by 4.3% in the control group (P=0.0001). Serum plant sterol levels increased significantly (P=0.0001) in the sterol group. None of the fat-soluble vitamin levels decreased significantly when changes in serum total cholesterol were taken into account. The hypocholesterolaemic effect of sterol administration was not influenced by apolipoprotein E phenotype. CONCLUSIONS: Yoghurt, low-fat hard cheese and low-fat fresh cheese enriched with a plant sterol mixture reduced serum cholesterol in hypercholesterolaemic subjects and no adverse effects were noted in the dietary control of hypercholesterolaemia.

Anticholesteremic Agents↗

PubMed2006

Growth during the first 6 months of life in infants using formula enriched with Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG: double-blind, randomized trial.

BACKGROUND: Probiotic bacteria have beneficial effects on the immune system and gastrointestinal tract, but the impacts of their long-term consumption on health and growth in early infancy are not well documented. The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG (LGG)-enriched formula on growth and faecal microflora during the first 6 months of life in normal healthy infants. MATERIALS AND METHODS: One hundred and twenty healthy infants (up to 2 months) received LGG-supplemented formula or regular formula in a double-blind, randomized manner until the age of 6 months. Weight, length and head circumference were measured monthly and transformed into standard deviation scores (SDS). Faecal samples were obtained from a random sample of infants (n=25) at entry and at the end of the study. RESULTS: One hundred and five infants (51 in the LGG group) completed the study. Children receiving LGG-supplemented formula grew better: their changes in their length and weight SDS (DeltaSDS) at the end of the study were significantly higher than those receiving regular formula (0.44+/- 0.37 versus 0.07+/- 0.06, P< 0.01 and 0.44+/- 0.19 versus 0.07+/- 0.06, P< 0.005, respectively). The LGG group had a significant, higher defecation frequency 9.1+/-2.06 versus 8.0+/- 2.8 (P<0.05). More frequent colonization with lactobacilli was found in the LGG group, 91% versus 76% (P<0.05) at the end of the study. CONCLUSIONS Infants fed with LGG-enriched formula grew better than those fed with regular formula. Further studies are necessary to clarify the mechanism of LGG in infant growth.

Double-Blind Method↗

PubMed2006

Lupin protein attenuates the development of hypertension and normalises the vascular function of NaCl-loaded Goto-Kakizaki rats.

The beneficial cardiovascular effects of soy protein have been studied intensively in recent years. Another protein-rich legume is lupin, which has been shown to have similar effects to those of soy in lowering serum cholesterol levels. In this study we compared the effects of lupin and soy protein on hypertension and vascular functions in spontaneously diabetic Goto-Kakizaki (GK) rat, which develop hypertension when fed a high-salt diet. The rats were fed with a 6% NaCl diet containing either lupin or soy protein isolate (20% weight/weight) for two weeks. In the end of the study the SBP was 18.6 mmHg lower (p<0.001) in the lupin group, and 12.0 mmHg lower (p<0.01) in the soy group than in the control group. Lupin and soy treatments normalised the decreased vasocontraction observed in the NaCl-fed control group, but only lupin treatment improved the impaired endothelium-dependent vasorelaxation. The attenuation of hypertension is likely to be mediated by the corrected vascular dysfunction, whose precise mechanism and the possible clinical relevance remains to be studied further.

Acetylcholine↗

PubMed2005

A probiotic mixture alleviates symptoms in irritable bowel syndrome patients: a controlled 6-month intervention.

BACKGROUND: Irritable bowel syndrome is a gastrointestinal disorder of unknown aetiology. The effect of probiotics in this syndrome remains unclear. AIM: To investigate whether a probiotic mixture containing Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG, L. rhamnosus LC705, Bifidobacterium breve Bb99 and Propionibacterium freudenreichii ssp. shermanii JS is effective in alleviating irritable bowel syndrome symptoms. METHODS: A total of 103 patients fulfilling the Rome I or II criteria took part in this 6-month, randomized, double-blind placebo-controlled trial. The patients received a probiotic capsule or a placebo capsule daily. Gastrointestinal symptoms and bowel habits were recorded. RESULTS: At the end the total symptom score (abdominal pain + distension + flatulence + borborygmi) was 7.7 (95% CI: -13.9 to -1.6) points lower in the probiotic group (P = 0.015). This represents a median reduction of 42% in the symptom score of the probiotic group compared with 6% in the placebo group. In individual symptoms, borborygmi was milder in the probiotic group (P = 0.008), and for the rest of the symptoms there was a non-significant trend. CONCLUSIONS: The results indicate that this probiotic mixture is effective in alleviating irritable bowel syndrome symptoms. Considering the high prevalence of irritable bowel syndrome and the lack of effective therapies, even a slight reduction in symptoms could have positive public health consequences.

Adult↗

PubMed2005

Probiotic supplementation improves tolerance to Helicobacter pylori eradication therapy--a placebo-controlled, double-blind randomized pilot study.

BACKGROUND: H. pylori is the major cause of chronic gastritis, and a risk factor for peptic ulcer and gastric cancer. AIM: To investigate the effect of probiotic supplementation on the tolerance and efficacy of H. pylori eradication treatment in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. METHODS: A total of 338 volunteers were screened for H. pylori infection. The eligibility criteria were met by 47 subjects whose H. pylori infection was verified at the outset and re-evaluated after the treatment by the 13C-urea breath test and by enzyme immunoassay serology. The subjects were randomized to receive probiotic therapy (Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG, L. rhamnosusLC705, Bifidobacterium breve Bb99 and Propionibacterium freudenreichii ssp. shermanii JS) or a placebo during H. pylori eradication and for 3 weeks following the treatment, and recorded their daily symptoms in a standardized diary. RESULTS: When the frequencies of new or aggravated symptoms were evaluated, no significant differences were found between the two groups for individual symptoms. However, the probiotic group showed less treatment-related symptoms as measured by the total symptom score change (P = 0.038) throughout the H. pylori eradication therapy in contrast to the placebo group. The H. pylori eradication rate was non-significantly higher in the group receiving probiotic therapy (91% vs. 79%, P = 0.42). In this group the recovery of probiotic bacteria in the faeces increased significantly (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: In this pilot study, probiotic supplementation did not diminish significantly the frequency of new or aggravated symptoms during H. pylori eradication. However, our data suggest an improved tolerance to the eradication treatment when total symptom severity was taken into account. Furthermore, the results show that probiotic bacteria are able to survive in the gastrointestinal tract despite the intensive antimicrobial therapy.

Adult↗

PubMed2005

Effects of vitamin E on the toxicity of oxidized LDL on endothelial cells in vitro in smokers vs nonsmokers on diets rich in fish.

OBJECTIVE: To clarify whether supplementation of vitamin E can alter the low density lipoprotein (LDL) oxidation properties and thereby affect endothelial cell function and prostacyclin production in smokers compared to nonsmokers on diets rich in fish in a pilot study. DESIGN: The LDL of six smokers and six nonsmokers on habitual high fish diet was isolated before and after an 8-week supplementation of vitamin E (800 IU/day). LDL was oxidized by incubation with CuSO4. Cytotoxicity of LDL oxidized to different degrees on endothelial cells was investigated in vitro in these two groups. SETTING: Helsinki University Central Hospital; Institute of Biomedicine, Pharmacology, University of Helsinki. RESULTS: At baseline, the rate of oxidation was higher in nonsmokers than in smokers. The lag phase increased significantly after the supplementation of vitamin E both in smokers and nonsmokers. Native LDL dose dependently tended to reduce the viability of endothelial cells in vitro more markedly when isolated from smokers than from nonsmokers. Vitamin E supplementation had no beneficial effect on the cytotoxicity of oxidized LDLs in endothelial cell culture. On the other hand, simultaneous administration of Trolox, the water-soluble analogue of vitamin E, attenuated the LDL cytotoxicity on endothelial cells. The vitamin E supplementation to LDL donors attenuated the increase in prostacyclin production both in smokers and nonsmokers. CONCLUSION: Supplementation of LDL donors (healthy male volunteers on habitual fish diet) with vitamin E increased the lag phase of LDL oxidation, but, on the other hand, did not influence in vitro cytotoxicity of LDL, or prostacyclin production.

Adult↗

PubMed2005

Probiotics in the treatment of atopic eczema/dermatitis syndrome in infants: a double-blind placebo-controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Probiotic bacteria are suggested to reduce symptoms of the atopic eczema/dermatitis syndrome (AEDS) in food-allergic infants. We aimed to investigate whether probiotic bacteria have any beneficial effect on AEDS. METHODS: Follow-up of severity of AEDS by the Severity Scoring of Atopic Dermatitis (SCORAD) index in 230 infants with suspected cow's milk allergy (CMA) receiving, in a randomized double-blinded manner, concomitant with elimination diet and skin treatment, Lactobacillus GG (LGG), a mixture of four probiotic strains, or placebo for 4 weeks. Four weeks after the treatment, CMA was diagnosed with a double-blind placebo-controlled (DBPC) milk challenge in 120 infants. RESULTS: In the whole group, mean SCORAD (at baseline 32.5) decreased by 65%, but with no differences between treatment groups immediately or 4 weeks after the treatment. No treatment differences were observed in infants with CMA either. In IgE-sensitized infants, however, the LGG group showed a greater reduction in SCORAD than did the placebo group, -26.1 vs-19.8 (P=0.036), from baseline to 4 weeks after the treatment. Exclusion of infants who had received antibiotics during the study reinforced the findings in the IgE-sensitized subgroup. CONCLUSION: Treatment with LGG may alleviate AEDS symptoms in IgE-sensitized infants but not in non-IgE-sensitized infants.

Bacteria↗

PubMed2004

Effect of ingesting sour milk fermented using Lactobacillus helveticus bacteria producing tripeptides on blood pressure in subjects with mild hypertension.

Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) is important in the regulation of blood pressure (BP). Two tripeptides that inhibit ACE, isoleucyl-prolyl-proline (Ile-Pro-Pro) and valyl-prolyl-proline (Val-Pro-Pro), have been isolated from certain sour milks. The aim of the study reported was to evaluate the effect on BP in subjects with mild hypertension of a new sour milk containing tripeptides. The initial number of subjects was 60 (36 men, 24 women). Among the criteria for inclusion in the study were systolic BP (SBP) between 140 and 180 mmHg and/or diastolic BP (DPB) between 90 and 110 mmHg, without antihypertensive drug therapy. There were two study periods with a washout period between. All subjects were given 1.5 dl per day of a placebo (regular sour milk) or of the active product, a milk that had been fermented with Lactobacillus helveticus bacteria and contained 2.4-2.7 mg of Ile-Pro-Pro and 2.4-2.7 mg of Val-Pro-Pro per 1.5 dl. In the first phase, SBP fell 16 mmHg from baseline in the active group, 2 mmHg more than in the placebo group (P=0.0668) and no difference in DBP (P=0.92). There was a statistically significant downward trend both in SBP and DBP (P=0.0001). During the second phase, SBP fell 11 mmHg in the active group (P=0.008). The reduction in SBP was significantly larger in active than placebo group (P=0.012). In the crossover analysis combining both phases, SBP fell on average 2.6+/-15.9 mmHg more on the active product compared with the placebo product, but this difference was not statistically significant (P=0.3111). The difference in DBP, 1.0+/-8.3 mmHg between the two test products was not significant either (P=0.4431). In conclusion, the ingestion of sour milk fermented by L. helveticus bacteria and that containing ACE inhibitory tripeptides seems to lower BP modestly.

Analysis of Variance↗

PubMed2004

The expression of COX2 protein induced by Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG, endotoxin and lipoteichoic acid in T84 epithelial cells.

AIMS: Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG (L. rhamnosus GG) possess immunomodulatory effects in the host. In the present study, the effect of L. rhamnosus GG on cyclooxygenase 2 (COX2) expression and its pharmacological control was investigated in human T84 colon epithelial cells. METHODS AND RESULTS: T84 cells were exposed to freeze-dried L. rhamnosus GG in vitro, and the expression of COX2 was detected by Western blot. CONCLUSIONS: L. rhamnosus GG induced COX2 expression in a time- and concentration-dependent manner in T84 cells. COX2 expression was inhibited by tyrosine kinase inhibitor genistein (100 micromol l(-1)), p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAP kinase) inhibitor (SB203580; 1 micromol l(-1)) and dexamethasone (10 micromol l(-1)), whereas inhibitors of p42/44 MAP kinase (PD98095; 10 micromol l(-1)), protein kinase C (Ro 31-8220; 1 micromol l(-1)) and transcription factor nuclear factor kappa B (NF-kappaB) [pyrrolidinedithiocarbamate (PDTC) 100 micromol l(-1)] had practically no effect. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: The results provide novel information on the cellular mechanisms involved in the interaction between L. rhamnosus GG and colon epithelial cells.

Colon↗

PubMed2003

The causal element for the lactase persistence/non-persistence polymorphism is located in a 1 Mb region of linkage disequilibrium in Europeans.

Expression of lactase in the intestine persists into adult life in some people and not others, and this is due to a cis-acting regulatory polymorphism. Previous data indicated that a mutation leading to lactase persistence had occurred on the background of a 60 kb 11-site LCT haplotype known as A (Hollox et al. 2001). Recent studies reported a 100% correlation of lactase persistence with the presence of the T allele at a CT SNP at -14 kb from LCT, in individuals of Finnish origin, suggesting that this SNP may be causal of the lactase persistence polymorphism, and also reported a very tight association with a second SNP (GA -22 kb) (Enattah et al. 2002). Here we report the existence of a one megabase stretch of linkage disequilibrium in the region of LCT and show that the -14 kb T allele and the -22 kb A allele both occur on the background of a very extended A haplotype. In a series of Finnish individuals we found a strong correlation (40/41 people) with lactose digestion and the presence of the T allele. The T allele was present in all 36 lactase persistent individuals from the UK (phenotyped by enzyme assay) studied, 31/36 of whom were of Northern European ancestry, but not in 11 non-persistent individuals who were mainly of non-UK ancestry. However, the CT heterozygotes did not show intermediate lactase enzyme activity, unlike those previously phenotyped by determining allelic transcript expression. Furthermore the one lactase persistent homozygote identified by having equally high expression of A and B haplotype transcripts, was heterozygous for CT at the -14 kb site. SNP analysis across the 1 megabase region in this person showed no evidence of recombination on either chromosome between the -14 kb SNP and LCT. The combined data shows that although the -14 kb CT SNP is an excellent candidate for the cause of the lactase persistence polymorphism, linkage disequilibrium extends far beyond the region searched so far. In addition, the CT SNP does not, on its own, explain all the variation in expression of LCT, suggesting the possibility of genetic heterogeneity.

Alleles↗

PubMed2003

Effects of probiotic therapy on the activity and activation of mild rheumatoid arthritis--a pilot study.

OBJECTIVE: To study the effects of Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG (LGG) on rheumatoid arthritis (RA). METHODS: Twenty-one RA patients were randomised to receive 2 capsules of LGG or a placebo twice daily in double-blind fashion for 12 months. Arthritis activity was evaluated by clinical examination, HAQ index, and laboratory tests (e.g. ESR, CRP, pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines). RESULTS: There were no statistical differences in the clinical parameters, biochemical variables and HAQ index between the study groups over the intervention period. The mean number of tender and swollen joints decreased from 8.3 to 4.6 in the Lactobacillus group and from 5.5 to 4.8 in the placebo group (p = 0.41). According to the global assessment the RA activity was reduced in 71% (LGG group) vs. 30% (controls) (p = 0.15). Serum IL-1 beta increased slightly in the LGG group (p = 0.07), but no differences were seen in IL-6, TNF-alpha, MPO, IL-10 or 1L-12. CONCLUSIONS: Although there were no statistical significant differences in the activity of RA, more subjects in the LGG group reported subjective well being. More studies on the effects of probiotic bacteria in RA are needed.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2002

Short-term consumption of probiotic-containing cheese and its effect on dental caries risk factors.

Cheese is known to contain compounds that reduce the risk of dental caries. The long-term consumption of milk containing Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG, ATCC 53103 (LGG), has been shown to reduce caries risk in children. The aim of the present study was to examine whether short-term consumption of cheese containing LGG and Lactobacillus rhamnosus LC 705 would diminish caries-associated salivary microbial counts in young adults. Altogether, 74 18-35 year-old subjects completed this double-blinded, randomised, placebo-controlled study. During the 3 week intervention, the subjects ate 5 x 15 g cheese per day. Oral examinations were made before and after the study. Stimulated salivary secretion rates, buffer capacity and counts of salivary Streptococcus mutans, yeast and lactobacilli were evaluated before and after the intervention and after a 3 week post-treatment period. The results showed no statistically significant difference between the groups in Streptococcus mutans counts after the intervention, but during the post-treatment period there was a significantly greater reduction in these counts in the intervention group compared to the control group (P=0.05). However, Streptococcus mutans counts decreased in 20% (P=0.01) and yeast counts in 27% (P=0.005) of all the subjects, regardless of the intervention group. Results from logistic regression showed a trend indicating that probiotic intervention might reduce the risk of the highest level of Streptococcus mutans (OR=0.37, 95% CI 0.08-1.75, P=0.21) and salivary yeasts (OR=0.40, 0.09-1.71, P=0.22).

Adolescent↗

PubMed2002

Impact of age, submersion time and water temperature on outcome in near-drowning.

BACKGROUND: Because children have less subcutaneous fat, and a higher surface area to body weight ratio than adults, it has been suggested that children cool more rapidly during submersion, and therefore have a better outcome following near-drowning incidents. AIM OF THE STUDY: To study the impact of age, submersion time, water temperature and rectal temperature in the emergency room on outcome in near-drowning. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This retrospective study included all near-drowning victims admitted to the intensive care units of Helsinki University Central Hospital after successful cardiopulmonary resuscitation between 1985 and 1997. RESULTS: There were 61 near-drowning victims (age range: 0.5-60 years, median 29 years). Males were in the majority (40), and 26 were children (<16 years). The median water temperature was 17 degrees C (range: 0-33 degrees C). The median submersion time for the 43 survivors (70%) was 10 min (range: 1-38 min). Intact survivors and those with mild neurological disability (n=26, 43%) had a median submersion time of 5 min (range: 1-21 min). In non-survivors the median submersion time was 16 min (range: 2-75 min). Submersion time was the only independent predictor of survival in linear regression analysis (P<0.01). Patient age, water temperature and rectal temperature in the emergency room were not significant predictors of survival. CONCLUSIONS: Although submersion time is usually an estimate, it is the best prognostic factor after a near drowning incident. Children did not have a better outcome than adults.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2002

Galacto-oligosaccharides stimulate the growth of bifidobacteria but fail to attenuate inflammation in experimental colitis in rats.

BACKGROUND: Galacto-oligosaccharides potentially attenuate colonic inflammation by two mechanisms: through beneficial effects on intestinal microflora and by increasing the colonic short-chain fatty acid concentration. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of galacto-oligosaccharides on the development of inflammation and on the growth of bifidobacteria in trinitrobenzene sulphonic acid (TNBS)-induced colitis, a model that has been shown to benefit from short-chain fatty acid administration and to be associated with alterations in the colonic microflora. METHODS: Rats were given daily either whey-derived or lactose-derived galacto-oligosaccharides (4 g kg(-1) day(-1), p.o.); starting 10 days before colitis induction, or dexamethasone (2 mg kg(-1) day(-1), s.c., a positive control), starting at colitis induction. Colon wet weight, macroscopic damage and myeloperoxidase activity were assessed 72 h after the induction of colitis. Faecal bifidobacteria were counted at the beginning of the study, and immediately before and 72 h after colitis induction. RESULTS: Galacto-oligosaccharides increased the colonic levels of bifidobacteria but also the levels of other bacterial species. Neither whey-derived nor lactose-derived galacto-oligosaccharides reduced the severity of inflammation. CONCLUSIONS: Galacto-oligosaccharides are able to modify gut microflora in severe TNBS-induced colitis, but unable to attenuate the inflammation.

Animals↗