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Publications (5)18.77 Total impact

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    Article: Tolerance, safety, and effect on the faecal microbiota of an enteral formula supplemented with pre- and probiotics in critically ill children.
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    ABSTRACT: The aim of this study was to demonstrate the tolerance and safety of an enteral formula containing prebiotics/probiotics, and its effect on the faecal microbiota in critically ill children. Ninety-four patients between 1 and 3 years old under mechanical ventilation requiring enteral feeding were randomised to receive either a test formula containing a synbiotic blend (composed of 2 probiotic strains [Lactobacillus paracasei NCC 2461 and Bifidobacterium longum NCC 3001], fructooligosaccharides [FOS], inulin, and Acacia gum), or a control formula. Patients remained in the intensive care unit for 7 days and were examined at day 14. Tolerance was assessed by overall caloric intake and time to reach caloric goal. Safety was assessed by abdominal distention, vomiting, and stool frequency. Microbiota was analysed by culture- and molecular-based methods. Overall caloric intake and time to reach caloric goal were similar between groups (noninferiority was shown). Abdominal distention, vomiting, and stool frequency were not affected by the supplementation with pre- and probiotics. Faecal bifidobacteria were higher in the test group at the end of the study. A similar trend was observed for total lactobacilli. L paracasei NCC 2461 and B longum NCC 3001 were detected in 80.4% and 17% of the test group patients, respectively. Enterobacteria levels remained unchanged during hospitalisation in the control group but diminished in the test group. The enteral formula supplemented with synbiotics was well tolerated by children in intensive care units; it was safe and produced an increase in faecal bacterial groups of previously reported beneficial effects.
    Journal of pediatric gastroenterology and nutrition 08/2011; 53(2):174-81. · 2.18 Impact Factor
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    Article: A whole-grain cereal-rich diet increases plasma betaine, and tends to decrease total and LDL-cholesterol compared with a refined-grain diet in healthy subjects.
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    ABSTRACT: Epidemiological studies have repeatedly found that whole-grain (WG) cereal foods reduce the risk of several lifestyle-related diseases, though consistent clinical outcomes and mechanisms are elusive. To compare the effects of a WG-rich diet with a matched refined-grain (RG) diet on plasma biomarkers and bowel health parameters, seventeen healthy subjects (eleven females and six males) completed an exploratory cross-over study with a 2-week intervention diet based on either WG- or RG-based foods, separated by a washout of at least 5 weeks. Both diets were the same except for the use of WG (150 g/d) or RG foods. Subjects undertook a 4 h postprandial challenge on day 8 of each intervention diet. After 2 weeks, the WG diet tended to decrease plasma total and LDL-cholesterol (both P = 0·09), but did not change plasma HDL-cholesterol, fasting glucose, C-reactive protein or homocysteine compared with the RG diet. Plasma betaine and alkylresorcinol concentrations were elevated after 1 week of the WG diet (P = 0·01 and P < 0·0001, respectively). Clostridium leptum populations in faeces were increased after the WG diet, along with a trend for decreased faecal water pH (P = 0·096) and increased stool frequency (P < 0·0001) compared with the RG diet. A short controlled intervention trial with a variety of commercially available WG-based products tended to improve biomarkers of CVD compared with a RG diet. Changes in faecal microbiota related to increased fibre fermentation and increased plasma betaine concentrations point to both fibre and phytochemical components of WG being important in mediating any potential health effects.
    The British journal of nutrition 01/2011; 105(10):1492-502. · 3.45 Impact Factor
  • Article: Probiotic yogurt in the elderly with intestinal bacterial overgrowth: endotoxaemia and innate immune functions.
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    ABSTRACT: A study was conducted in healthy elderly living independently in senior housing to assess the impact of a probiotic yoghurt supplement on small intestinal bacterial overgrowth. Twenty-three participants with positive and thirteen participants with negative hydrogen breath test were studied before and after a period of 4 weeks of probiotic yoghurt administration. Intestinal permeability, plasma endotoxin levels, phagocytic activity of leucocytes, cytokine production by monocytes and free radical response of neutrophils were determined. Intestinal permeability was similar for the two groups and was unaffected by probiotic treatment. Both plasma endotoxin levels and the basal phagocytic activity of leucocytes decreased after yoghurt intake in the two groups. Exposure of monocytes and neutrophils ex vivo led to an increased cytokine response and free radical response, respectively. The normalisation of the various cytokine responses was more apparent in the group with positive breath test. In addition, the plasma levels of lipoplysaccharide binding protein and soluble CD14, lipoplysaccharide pattern recognition receptors and surrogate markers of lipoplysaccharide permeability were diminished by the end of the study. In conclusion, probiotic administration in the elderly normalises the response to endotoxin, and modulates activation markers in blood phagocytes, and therefore may help reduce low-grade chronic inflammation.
    The British journal of nutrition 05/2009; 101(7):961-6. · 3.45 Impact Factor
  • Article: Assessment of the safety, tolerance, and protective effect against diarrhea of infant formulas containing mixtures of probiotics or probiotics and prebiotics in a randomized controlled trial.
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    ABSTRACT: Probiotics and prebiotics are considered to be beneficial to the gastrointestinal health of infants. The objective was to evaluate infant formulas containing probiotics and synbiotics (combinations of probiotics and prebiotics) for safety and tolerance. In a prospective, controlled, double-blind, randomized trial, healthy full-term infants were exclusively fed a control formula or study formulas containing Bifidobacterium longum BL999 (BL999) + Lactobacillus rhamnosus LPR (LPR), BL999 + LPR + 4 g/L of 90% galactooligosaccharide/10% short-chain fructooligosaccharide (GOS/SCFOS), or BL999 + Lactobacillus paracasei ST11 (ST11) + 4 g/L GOS/SCFOS from < or = 2 to 16 wk of age (treatment period). Safety and tolerance were assessed based on weight gain during the treatment period (primary outcome) as well as recumbent length, head circumference, digestive tolerance, and adverse events (secondary outcomes), which were evaluated at 2, 4, 8, 12, 16, and 52 wk of age. Two hundred eighty-four infants were enrolled. During the treatment period, difference in mean weight gain between control and study formula groups in both the intention-to-treat and per-protocol populations were within the predefined equivalence boundaries of +/-3.9 g/d, indicating equivalent weight gain. Secondary outcomes did not show significant differences between groups during the treatment period. Infants fed formulas containing probiotics or synbiotics show a similar rate in weight gain compared with those fed a control formula and tolerate these formulas well.
    American Journal of Clinical Nutrition 05/2008; 87(5):1365-73. · 6.67 Impact Factor
  • Article: Clinical evaluation of a new starter formula for infants containing live Bifidobacterium longum BL999 and prebiotics.
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    ABSTRACT: The larger number of bifidobacteria in the intestine of breast-fed infants has been associated with their better health compared with formula-fed infants. We assessed the safety and tolerability of an experimental formula containing 2 x 10(7) colony-forming units of Bifidobacterium longum BL999 and 4 g/L of a prebiotic mixture containing 90% galacto-oligosaccharides and 10% fructo-oligosaccharides. A 7-mo prospective, randomized, reference-controlled, double-blinded trial was performed in infants who were not breast fed after the 14th day of birth. One hundred thirty-eight infants were enrolled and assigned to receive the control or experimental formula until they were 112 d old. Mean weight gain (primary outcome) and recumbent length, head circumference, tolerability (gastrointestinal symptoms), and overall morbidity (secondary outcomes) were measured at 14, 28, 56, 84, and 112 d of age. Equivalence in mean weight gain between the two groups was shown. The treatment difference in the intention-to-treat and per-protocol populations were within the predefined equivalence boundaries of +/-3.9 g/d. No statistically significant difference in recumbent length, head circumference, or incidence of adverse events was found between the two groups. Infants in the experimental group had fewer incidences of constipation and had stool characteristics that suggest that the experimental formula was tolerated well. Furthermore, these infants showed a trend toward fewer respiratory tract infections. The starter formula containing BL999 and galacto-oligosaccharides/fructo-oligosaccharides is safe and well-tolerated.
    Nutrition 02/2007; 23(1):1-8. · 3.03 Impact Factor