In this study, a total of 106 untreated subjects aged between 20 and 64 with FD symptoms were randomly divided into two groups, and one group was fed yogurt containing OLL2716 lactic acid bacteria (number: 109) once a day (85 g), while the other group was fed yogurt not containing OLL2716 lactic acid bacteria (placebo) in the same amount and with the same frequency, for a period of 12 weeks. After the 12 weeks, a questionnaire survey was conducted to learn about the subjects’ overall impression of the effect of the yogurt on their stomach symptoms.
The survey revealed that the first group that was fed yogurt containing OLL2716 lactic acid bacteria for 12 weeks thought their stomach symptoms started to improve more compared to the second group that was given the placebo, while the percentage of those reporting either significantly improved or improved stomach symptoms overall was higher in the first group than the second group by roughly 16 points.
Figure: Comprehensive evaluation of stomach symptom improvement
(Source: Digestion 2017;96:92-102)
[Evaluation method]
After ingesting the trial food for 12 weeks, the subjects were asked to answer a question about their stomach symptoms over the previous week compared to the symptoms pre-ingestion. The two groups were compared based on the Wilcoxon rank-sum test, wherep<0.05 was considered statistically significant and p<0.10marginally significant(† p<0.10(both sides))
In addition, when the ratio of the subjects from which all four FD symptoms disappeared (i.e., elimination rate) was measured at four, eight, and 12 weeks after yogurt ingestion, the elimination rate improved with the passage of time. So, 12 weeks later, the elimination rate for the OLL2716-fed experimental group climbed to 35.2%, which was roughly twice the placebo group’s elimination rate of 17.3%.
Figure: Change in the elimination rate of all four FD symptoms with time
(Source:Digestion 2017;96:92-102)
[Evaluation method]
The elimination rate, which is defined as the ratio of the subjects from which all four FD symptoms disappeared, was measured before the subjects started ingesting the trial food and also after four, eight, and 12 weeks.
The experimental and control groups were compared based on the Wilcoxon rank-sum test, wherep<0.05 was considered significant(* p<0.05 (both sides)).
Based on the classification of FD into the two types, which are postprandial distress syndrome (PDS) and epigastric pain syndrome (EPS), the subjects were observed from the time they started ingesting yogurt until 12 weeks later to determine the ratio of those from which the symptoms of each FD type were eliminated. It was found that the PDS symptom elimination rate among the experimental group that was fed yogurt containing OLL2716 lactic acid bacteria was significantly high.
Figure: Elimination rates of PDS- and EPS-like symptoms 12 weeks after ingestion of the trial food
(Source: Digestion 2017;96:92-102)
[Evaluation method]
Before starting ingestion of the trial food, the PDS symptom elimination rate among the subjects that were thought to have PDS was analyzed.
Also, before starting ingestion of the trial food, the EPS symptom elimination rate among the subjects that were thought to have EPS was analyzed.
The different groups were compared based on Fisher’s exact test, where p<0.05was considered significant(* p<0.05 (both sides); N.S.: no significant difference).