Bifidobacterium longum BB536

BB536/Drug Interactions:

  • Agents used to increase bone strengthAgents used to increase bone strength: In animals, BB536 increased bone strength; increased calcium absorption from the whey in the diet was suggested as a potential mechanism (45).
  • Antiallergy agentsAntiallergy agents: In humans, BB536 reduced symptoms associated with allergy (26; 19; 36).
  • Antianxiety agentsAntianxiety agents: In animals, BB536 normalized anxiety associated with colitis, perhaps by decreasing the excitability of enteric neurons (1).
  • AntibioticsAntibiotics: In humans, oral supplementation of the diet with BB536, either alone or in combination with other probiotics or prebiotics, resulted in changes to the intestinal microflora during administration of cefpodoxime proxetil (46). In humans, yogurt containing BB536 reduced diarrhea and gastrointestinal symptoms induced by antibiotic administration for eradication of H. pylori (47). In animals, BB536 increased survival following exposure to Pseudomonas aeruginosa and resulting sepsis (48). BB536 also increased survival following Escherichia coli 0157:H7 IPH9 exposure in animals (49). In vitro, BB536 extract was active against a culture of Escherichia coli and other Gram-positive bacteria (50), and cocultivation of BB536 with each of Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Clostridium clostridiiforme, Clostridium perfringes, Bacteroides distasonis, Bacteroides fragilis, Bacteroides thetaiotaomicron, and Bacteroides vulgatus resulted in decreased growth of these cultures (51). In vitro, BB536 was susceptible to many antibiotics (52).
  • AntidiarrhealsAntidiarrheals: In humans, yogurt containing BB536 reduced diarrhea and gastrointestinal symptoms induced by antibiotic administration for eradication of H. pylori (47).
  • AntilipemicsAntilipemics: In humans, fermented milk containing Lactobacillus acidophilus 145 and BB536 resulted in a reduction in low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol (18).
  • AntineoplasticsAntineoplastics: In humans, Morinaga Bifidus?, containing BB536 and other probiotics, reduced Candida infections and improved bacterial flora associated with cancer and chemotherapy (53; 54). In animals, B536 protected against the genotoxic effects of heterocyclic aromatic amines (2), and in a cancer animal model, BB536 reduced the incidence of tumors (55; 56) and the number of aberrant crypt foci (57; 58), and induced cell proliferation, ODC activity, and ras-p21 expression (56).
  • Gastrointestinal agentsGastrointestinal agents: In elderly patients receiving enteral feeding, BB536 normalized defecation frequency compared to baseline (42). In humans (with and without constipation), milk containing probiotics, including BB536, increased defecation frequency and sensation after defecation; reduced fecal ammonia, indole, p-cresol, and activity of some fecal enzymes (beta-glucuronidase); increased fecal moisture and levels of short-chain and volatile fatty acids; and improved fecal odor and visual characteristics (color, shape, consistency) (38; 39; 37; 59; 40; 41; 12). In animals, the pH of the feces was reduced (45). In humans, oral supplementation of the diet with BB536, either alone or in combination with other probiotics or prebiotics, resulted in changes to the intestinal microflora (46; 10; 37; 59; 40; 60; 61; 28; 62; 63; 64; 65; 53; 54; 66; 58; 67; 68; 69; 70; 11; 71; 72; 42). The changes included improvements in Bifidobacterium strains and Lactobacillus strains, and reductions in bacteria such as the Enterobacteriaceae, Bacteroides fragilis and related species, and various aerobic bacteria, as well as reductions in endotoxins and Candida. These benefits have also been shown in animal studies (45).
  • ImmunomodulatorsImmunomodulators: In human, animal, and in vitro research, BB536 stimulated the production of immune mediators and cell-mediated immune response, and reduced the risk of and symptoms associated with infection (19; 20; 21; 22; 23; 24; 25; 26; 27; 29).
  • LaxativesLaxatives: In elderly patients receiving enteral feeding, BB536 normalized defecation frequency compared to baseline (42). In humans (with and without constipation), milk containing probiotics, including BB536, increased defecation frequency and sensation after defecation; reduced fecal ammonia, indole, p-cresol, and activity of some fecal enzymes (beta-glucuronidase); increased fecal moisture and levels of short-chain and volatile fatty acids; and improved fecal odor and visual characteristics (color, shape, consistency) (38; 39; 37; 59; 40; 41; 12; 73). In animals, the pH of the feces was reduced (45).

    • BB536/Herb/Supplement Interactions:

  • Agents used to increase bone strengthAgents used to increase bone strength: In animals, BB536 increased bone strength; increased calcium absorption from the whey in the diet was suggested as a potential mechanism (45).
  • Antiallergy agentsAntiallergy agents: In humans, BB536 reduced symptoms associated with allergy (26; 19; 36).
  • AntibacterialsAntibacterials: In humans, oral supplementation of the diet with BB536, either alone or in combination with other probiotics or prebiotics, resulted in changes to the intestinal microflora during administration of cefpodoxime proxetil (46). In humans, yogurt containing BB536 reduced diarrhea and gastrointestinal symptoms induced by antibiotic administration for eradication of H. pylori (47). In animals, BB536 increased survival following exposure to Pseudomonas aeruginosa and resulting sepsis (48). BB536 also increased survival following Escherichia coli 0157:H7 IPH9 exposure in animals (49). In vitro, BB536 extract was active against a culture of Escherichia coli and other Gram-positive bacteria (50), and cocultivation of BB536 with each of Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Clostridium clostridiiforme, Clostridium perfringes, Bacteroides distasonis, Bacteroides fragilis, Bacteroides thetaiotaomicron, and Bacteroides vulgatus resulted in decreased growth of these cultures (51). In vitro, BB536 was susceptible to many antibiotics (52).
  • AntidiarrhealsAntidiarrheals: In humans, yogurt containing BB536 reduced diarrhea and gastrointestinal symptoms induced by antibiotic administration for eradication of H. pylori (47).
  • AntilipemicsAntilipemics: In humans, fermented milk containing Lactobacillus acidophilus 145 and BB536 resulted in a reduction in LDL cholesterol and HDL cholesterol (18).
  • AntineoplasticsAntineoplastics: In humans, Morinaga Bifidus?, containing BB536 and other probiotics, reduced Candida infections and improved bacterial flora associated with cancer and chemotherapy (53; 54). In animals, B536 protected against the genotoxic effects of heterocyclic aromatic amines (2), and in a cancer animal model, BB536 reduced the incidence of tumors (55; 56) and the number of aberrant crypt foci (57; 58), and induced cell proliferation, ODC activity, and ras-p21 expression (56).
  • Gastrointestinal agentsGastrointestinal agents: In elderly patients receiving enteral feeding, BB536 normalized defecation frequency compared to baseline (42). In humans (with and without constipation), milk containing probiotics, including BB536, increased defecation frequency and sensation after defecation; reduced fecal ammonia, indole, p-cresol, and activity of some fecal enzymes (beta-glucuronidase); increased fecal moisture and levels of short-chain and volatile fatty acids; and improved fecal odor and visual characteristics (color, shape, consistency) (38; 39; 37; 59; 40; 41; 12). In animals, the pH of the feces was reduced (45). In humans, oral supplementation of the diet with BB536, either alone or in combination with other probiotics or prebiotics, resulted in changes to the intestinal microflora (46; 10; 37; 59; 40; 60; 61; 28; 62; 63; 64; 65; 53; 54; 66; 58; 67; 68; 69; 70; 11; 71; 72; 42). The changes included improvements in Bifidobacterium strains and Lactobacillus strains, and reductions in bacteria such as the Enterobacteriaceae, Bacteroides fragilis and related species, and various aerobic bacteria, as well as reductions in endotoxins and Candida. These benefits have also been shown in animal studies (45).
  • ImmunomodulatorsImmunomodulators: In human, animal, and in vitro research, BB536 stimulated the production of immune mediators and cell-mediated immune response, and reduced the risk of and symptoms associated with infection (19; 20; 21; 22; 23; 24; 25; 26; 27; 29).
  • LaxativesLaxatives: In elderly patients receiving enteral feeding, BB536 normalized defecation frequency compared to baseline (42). In humans (with and without constipation), milk containing probiotics, including BB536, increased defecation frequency and sensation after defecation; reduced fecal ammonia, indole, p-cresol, and activity of some fecal enzymes (beta-glucuronidase); increased fecal moisture and levels of short-chain and volatile fatty acids; and improved fecal odor and visual characteristics (color, shape, consistency) (38; 39; 37; 59; 40; 41; 12; 73). In animals, the pH of the feces was reduced (45).
  • PrebioticsPrebiotics: In humans, addition of inulin to a probiotic fermented milk containing BB536 and other probiotics increased gastrointestinal symptoms (flatulence) vs. the probiotic milk without inulin (67). In animals, BB536 and lactulose had an additive antineoplastic effect (57). In vitro, BB536 grew on and degraded oligofructose, resulting in acetate production (74; 4; 75). In humans, oral supplementation of the diet with BB536, either alone or in combination with other probiotics or prebiotics, resulted in changes to the intestinal microflora (46; 10; 37; 59; 40; 60; 61; 28; 62; 63; 64; 65; 53; 54; 58; 67; 68; 69; 70; 11; 71; 72; 42). The changes included improvements in Bifidobacterium strains and Lactobacillus strains, and reductions in bacteria such as the Enterobacteriaceae, Bacteroides fragilis and related species, and various aerobic bacteria, as well as reductions in endotoxins and Candida. These benefits have also been shown in animal studies (45).
  • ProbioticsProbiotics: In humans (with and without constipation), milk containing probiotics, including BB536, increased defecation frequency and sensation after defecation; reduced fecal ammonia, indole, p-cresol, and activity of some fecal enzymes (beta-glucuronidase); increased fecal moisture and levels of short-chain and volatile fatty acids; and improved fecal odor and visual characteristics (color, shape, consistency) (38; 39; 37; 59; 40; 41; 12). In animals, the pH of the feces was reduced (45). In humans, oral supplementation of the diet with BB536, either alone or in combination with other probiotics or prebiotics, resulted in changes to the intestinal microflora (46; 10; 37; 59; 40; 60; 61; 28; 62; 63; 64; 65; 53; 54; 58; 67; 68; 69; 70; 11; 71; 72; 42). The changes included improvements in Bifidobacterium strains and Lactobacillus strains, and reductions in bacteria such as the Enterobacteriaceae, Bacteroides fragilis and related species, and various aerobic bacteria, as well as reductions in endotoxins and Candida. These benefits have also been shown in animal studies (45). In fermented milk, BB536 viability was improved when cocultivated with Lactococcus lactis subsp. lactis (32; 33).
  • SedativesSedatives: In animals, BB536 normalized anxiety associated with colitis, perhaps by decreasing the excitability of enteric neurons (1).

    • BB536/Food Interactions:

  • GeneralGeneral: Diet in general is associated with altered intestinal microflora (76); specific discussion of BB536, however, was lacking in this study.
  • Nitrite and nitrosamine-containing foodsNitrite and nitrosamine-containing foods: In vitro, nitrites at concentrations greater than 2,000mcM/L resulted in total growth inhibition of BB536 (77). BB536 was found to metabolize nitrosamines and nitrites.

    • BB536/Lab Interactions:

  • CytokinesCytokines: In humans, BB536 tended to suppress the decline of interferon (IFN)-gamma levels (19). In humans (25; 26), BB536 suppressed the production of plasma thymus- and activation-regulated chemokine (TARC), and in vitro, BB536 suppressed the production of TARC and macrophage-derived chemokine (MDC) (27). In animals, BB536 reduced levels of IL-6 and IFN-gamma (22; 23).
  • Fecal characteristicsFecal characteristics: In humans (with and without constipation), milk containing probiotics, including BB536, increased defecation frequency and sensation after defecation; reduced fecal ammonia, indole, p-cresol, and activity of some fecal enzymes (beta-glucuronidase); increased fecal moisture and levels of short-chain and volatile fatty acids; and improved fecal odor and visual characteristics (color, shape, consistency) (38; 39; 37; 59; 40; 41; 12). In elderly patients receiving enteral feeding and assessed using the Bristol Stool Form Scale, participants treated with BB536-H showed a higher incidence of type three and type five stools compared to the placebo group and participants treated with BB536-L showed a higher incidence of type three and type four stools compared to the placebo group (42). In animals, the pH of the feces was reduced (45).
  • Fecal microfloraFecal microflora: In humans, oral supplementation of the diet with BB536, either alone or in combination with other probiotics or prebiotics, resulted in changes to the intestinal microflora (46; 10; 37; 59; 40; 60; 61; 28; 62; 63; 64; 65; 53; 54; 66; 67; 68; 69; 70; 11; 71; 72; 42). The changes included improvements in Bifidobacterium strains and Lactobacillus strains, and reductions in bacteria such as the Enterobacteriaceae, Bacteroides fragilis and related species, and various aerobic bacteria, as well as reductions in endotoxins and Candida. These benefits have also been shown in animal studies (45).
  • ImmunoglobulinImmunoglobulin: In human, animal, and in vitro research, BB536 stimulated the production of immune mediators and cell-mediated immune response, and reduced the risk of and symptoms associated with infection (19; 20; 21; 22; 23; 24; 25; 26; 27; 29).
  • LipidsLipids: In humans, fermented milk containing Lactobacillus acidophilus 145 and BB536 resulted in a reduction in LDL cholesterol and HDL cholesterol (18).