5 Bifidobacterium Breve Benefits

In this study from 2015, researchers aimed to evaluate the probiotic characteristics and immunomodulatory activity of Lactobacillus salivarius LS01 and Bifidobacterium breve BR03, both alone and in combination, in asthmatic subjects.

The growth compatibility and antimicrobial activity of the probiotic strains were first analyzed. Then, the researchers examined the cytokine production by peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) stimulated with LS01 and BR03 using a specific enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).

The results showed that the growth of some clinical pathogens was slightly inhibited by LS01 and LS01-BR03 co-culture supernatant that was not neutralized to pH 6.5, while only the growth of E. coli and S. aureus was inhibited by the supernatant of LS01 and LS01-BR03 that was neutralized to pH 6.5.

In addition, the combination of LS01 and BR03 was able to decrease the secretion of proinflammatory cytokines by PBMCs, leading to an increase in IL-10 production. The Italian researchers concluded that L. salivarius LS01 and B. breve BR03 have promising probiotic properties and beneficial immunomodulatory activity, which is increased when the two strains are used in combination in the same formulation.

A 2011 pilot study investigated the effectiveness of Bifidobacterium Breve in the potential treatment of childhood constipation in children aged 3 to 16. They were given a daily sachet of powder containing 108-1010 CFU Bifidobacterium breve for 4 weeks whilst instructed to try to defecate on the toilet after each meal and to complete a bowel diary.

The primary outcome measure was change in defecation frequency, and secondary measures included stool consistency, frequency of faecal incontinence, pain during defecation, abdominal pain, and adverse effects.

Results showed that defecation frequency significantly increased from 0.9 times per week at baseline to 4.9 times per week in week 4, and stool consistency significantly improved. The number of faecal incontinence episodes and abdominal pain episodes significantly decreased, and no adverse effects were reported.

The study suggests that Bifidobacterium breve may be effective in increasing stool frequency, improving stool consistency, and reducing faecal incontinence and abdominal pain in children with functional constipation. However, further research in the form of a randomized placebo-controlled trial is needed to confirm these findings.

The aim of this study was to examine the effect of Bifidobacterium breve, a type of probiotic, on the immune system of preterm infants. They infants were divided into two groups, with one group receiving B. breve and the other a placebo.

Blood samples were collected from both groups at various points after birth and analyzed for levels of cytokines and the expression of certain signaling molecules called Smads.

The results showed that the B. breve probiotic group had higher levels of a molecule called TGF-beta1 and higher levels of a type of Smad called Smad3, while levels of a different type of Smad called Smad7 were lower compared to the placebo group.

This seemed to suggest that B. breve could have a positive effect on the immune system of preterm infants, potentially helping to reduce inflammation and allergic reactions. More research is needed to confirm these results though.

In this 2016 study, the relationship between the presence of B. breve and B. catenulatum in the gut microbiota of infants at high risk of developing allergic disease and development of eczema was investigated.

The colonization patterns of B. breve were influenced by maternal allergic status, household pets, and the number of siblings. It was suggested that modulation of the early gut microbiota may be a potential way to prevent eczema in high-risk infants later in life.

The results showed that the presence of B. catenulatum a type of pathogenic bacteria at 3 months of age was associated with a higher risk of developing eczema, while the presence of B. breve at 1 week, 1 month, and 3 months was associated with a lower risk of developing eczema.

The presence of B. breve probiotics at 3 months was also associated with a lower risk of atopic sensitization at 12 months showing that further research is needed on it's potential uses for Eczema.

In this 2016 study, the effects of probiotic and prebiotic fermented milk were evaluated in healthy young female students. The fermented milk, contained Bifidobacterium breve and galactooligosaccharides and was consumed daily for four weeks.

Results showed that in the probiotic group, there were increases in hydration levels of the stratum corneum, defecation frequency, and pooping frequency. Interestingly there was also significant decreases in urinary phenol and p-cresol levels, compared to baseline values.

This same group also had a significant improvement in skin clearness compared to the non-intake group suggesting that the regular consumption of fermented milk may have beneficial effects on the skin. This was down to it preventing dryness, stimulating defecation and more but research is needed to fully understand the mechanisms behind these effects.