Navigation
Inulin-type fructans and 2’fucosyllactose alter both microbial composition and appear to alleviate stress-induced mood state in a working population compared to placebo (maltodextrin): the EFFICAD Trial, a randomized, controlled trial
The reciprocal interaction between the gut and the brain, as well as the ways in which oligofructose and 2’fucosyllactose (2′-FL) can change the makeup of microorganisms and mood, are subjects of growing attention. However, there is still much to learn about how oligofructose and 2’fucosyllactose (2′-FL) might specifically alter the gut flora to enhance mood. In this 5-week, 4-arm, parallel, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study by Jackson et al. (2023), the authors assessed how oligofructose and 2’fucosyllactose (2′-FL), both separately and in combination with maltodextrin, affected the microbiological makeup and psychological condition of a working population. Ninety-two healthy people who suffered from mild to moderate depression and anxiety were recruited for this study. The subjects were randomized to receive 8 g/d of oligofructose plus 2 g/d of maltodextrin, 10 g/d of maltodextrin, 8 g/d of oligofructose plus 2 g/d of 2’fucosyllactose (2′-FL), or 2 g/d of 2’fucosyllactose plus 8 g/d of maltodextrin. Bowel habits, gastrointestinal symptoms, and emotional state indicators were among the secondary results, while the main measurements were modifications in the microbial load (fluorescence in situ hybridization-flow cytometry) and composition (16S ribosomal RNA sequencing). Analysis of the results revealed that the oligofructose and oligofructose/2’fucosyllactose (2′-FL) treatments resulted in substantial increases in a number of bacterial taxa, including Bacteroides, Bifidobacterium, Roseburia, and Faecalibacterium prausnitzii. The bacterial taxa changed in a very diverse way when 2’fuscoyllactose (2′-FL) was added. Between oligofructose, oligofructose/2’fucosyllactose (2′-FL) combination, and 2’fucosyllactose (2′-FL) interventions, significant improvements in Positive and Negative Affect Schedule scores, cortisol awakening response, State Trait Anxiety Inventory Y1 and Y2, and Beck Depression Inventory were observed. Improvements in all mood state metrics were observed with both the oligofructose alone and the oligofructose/2’fuscosyllactose combination treatments, outperforming the solo (2′-FL) and maltodextrin. The authors comment that their study’s findings suggest that oligofructose and oligofructose/2’fucosyllactose combination can improve mood state metrics and change the microbial makeup in a positive way. To comprehend the essential microbiological distinctions that distinguish between individual responses to (2′-FL) supplementation, more research is required. [NPID: Oligofructose, 2’fucosyllactose, gut brain axis, Bifidobacterium, mood state, prebiotics]
Year: 2023
