Probiotic Streptococcus thermophilus FP4 and Bifidobacterium breve BR03 Supplementation Attenuates Performance and Range-of-Motion Decrements Following Muscle Damaging Exercise

Abstract

Probiotics have immunomodulatory effects. However, little is known about the potential benefit of probiotics on the inflammation subsequent to strenuous exercise. In a double-blind, randomized, placebo controlled, crossover design separated by a 21-day washout, 15 healthy resistance-trained men ingested an encapsulated probiotic Streptococcus (S.) thermophilus FP4 and Bifidobacterium (B.) breve BR03 at 5 bn live cells (AFU) concentration each, or a placebo, daily for 3 weeks prior to muscle-damaging exercise (ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02520583). Isometric strength, muscle soreness, range of motion and girth, and blood interleukin-6 (IL-6) and creatine kinase (CK) concentrations were measured from pre- to 72 h post-exercise. Statistical analysis was via mixed models and magnitude-based inference to the standardized difference. Probiotic supplementation resulted in an overall decrease in circulating IL-6, which was sustained to 48 h post-exercise. In addition, probiotic supplementation likely enhanced isometric average peak torque production at 24 to 72 h into the recovery period following exercise (probiotic-placebo point effect ±90% CI: 24 h, 11% ± 7%; 48 h, 12% ± 18%; 72 h, 8% ± 8%). Probiotics also likely moderately increased resting arm angle at 24 h (2.4% ± 2.0%) and 48 h (1.9% ± 1.9%) following exercise, but effects on soreness and flexed arm angle and CK were unclear. These data suggest that dietary supplementation with probiotic strains S. thermophilus FP4 and B. breve BR03 attenuates performance decrements and muscle tension in the days following muscle-damaging exercise.

Keywords: cytokines; eccentric exercise; inflammation; isokinetic.

Conflict of interest statement

J.D.S., S.M.T., A.J.A., D.S.R., and J.M.O. declare no competing interests. M.Pa. and A.A. are employed by Biolab Research S.r.l., Probiotical S.p.A.’s holding company. R.J. and M.Pu. are consultants of Pharmachem Laboratories, Inc., Kearny, NJ, USA, which engages in business trade with Probiotical S.p.A.

Figures

Figure 1

Effect of 21 days of probiotic and placebo supplementation on (A) average peak isometric torque before and for 72 h following eccentric loading exercise; (B) The probiotic–placebo difference score adjusted for the value at baseline (pre-eccentric exercise). Data in plate A are raw means and SD. Data in plate B are the probiotic–placebo effect expressed as a percent of placebo and 90% confidence intervals derived from the back transformed means from the mixed model analysis of variance. Horizontal dashed lines are the smallest standardized difference threshold (±4.5%), while the probability of substantial change is included above the contrast represented as ** likely, *** very likely; contrasts with no stars are inconclusive or unclear [24].

Figure 2

Effect of 21 days of probiotic and placebo supplementation on muscle soreness as measured with the visual analogue scale (VAS) for the exercised (EX) arm and non-exercise (NONEX) arm. Data are raw means and SD. All probiotic–placebo post–pre exercise contrasts were unclear [24].

Figure 3

Effect of 21 days of probiotic and placebo supplementation on plasma (A) interleukin-6 and (B) creatine kinase concentrations. For IL-6, means were generated from log-transformed values and presented on a log scale to manage the heterogeneity of error. Means and SD for creatine kinase concentration are raw. The probability of substantial standardized effect of probiotic–placebo, relative to the baseline is included above the contrast represented as ** likely, *** very likely; contrasts with no stars are inconclusive or unclear. All probiotic–placebo post–pre exercise contrasts were unclear [24].