The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effect of three doses of the probiotic B. subtilis (Bacillus subtilis R0179) delivered in capsules on gastrointestinal and general wellness in healthy young adults, survival through the gastrointestinal tract and impact on intestinal microbes.
A 6 week randomized, double blind placebo controlled trial in healthy young adults aged 18 to 50. Participants will be administered an oral dose of B. subtilis or placebo (1 capsule/day) for a period of 4 weeks. Viable counts will be measured from stool samples to assess transit survival, daily questionnaires (DQ) will be administered to assess general wellness, and gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms will be evaluated three times with the Gastrointestinal Symptom Response Scale (GSRS) questionnaire.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
BASIC_SCIENCE
Masking
TRIPLE
Enrollment
83
B. subtilis R0179 for a period of 4 weeks. One capsule per day.
Placebo (starch, magnesium stearate, citric acid) capsules for a period of 4 weeks. One capsule per day.
University of Florida
Gainesville, Florida, United States
Evaluation of the Effect of B. Subtilis R0179 on Wellness Questionnaires for GI Distress
Daily Questionnaires consists of 24 symptom items evaluating general wellness. Participants filled out questionnaires nightly for the entire duration of the study (6 weeks). Daily scores were then averaged into weekly scores for each participant. Rating is scored from 0 (no symptoms) to 6 (very severe symptoms).
Time frame: Weekly for 6 weeks
Evaluation of the Effect of B. Subtilis R0179 on Wellness Questionnaires for Cephalic
Daily Questionnaires consists of 24 symptom items evaluating general wellness. Participants filled out questionnaires nightly for the entire duration of the study (6 weeks). Daily scores were then averaged into weekly scores for each participant. Rating is scored from 0 (no symptoms) to 6 (very severe symptoms).
Time frame: Weekly for 6 weeks
Evaluation of the Effect of B. Subtilis R0179 on Wellness Questionnaires for Epidermal
Daily Questionnaires consists of 24 symptom items evaluating general wellness. Participants filled out questionnaires nightly for the entire duration of the study (6 weeks). Daily scores were then averaged into weekly scores for each participant. Rating is scored from 0 (no symptoms) to 6 (very severe symptoms).
Time frame: Weekly for 6 weeks
Evaluation of the Effect of B. Subtilis R0179 on Wellness Questionnaires for Ear, Nose, and Throat (ENT)
Daily Questionnaires consists of 24 symptom items evaluating general wellness. Participants filled out questionnaires nightly for the entire duration of the study (6 weeks). Daily scores were then averaged into weekly scores for each participant. Rating is scored from 0 (no symptoms) to 6 (very severe symptoms).
Time frame: Weekly for 6 weeks
Evaluation of the Effect of B. Subtilis R0179 on Wellness Questionnaires for Behavioral
Daily Questionnaires consists of 24 symptom items evaluating general wellness. Participants filled out questionnaires nightly for the entire duration of the study (6 weeks). Daily scores were then averaged into weekly scores for each participant. Rating is scored from 0 (no symptoms) to 6 (very severe symptoms).
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Time frame: Weekly for 6 weeks
Evaluation of the Effect of B. Subtilis R0179 on Wellness Questionnaires for Emetic
Daily Questionnaires consists of 24 symptom items evaluating general wellness. Participants filled out questionnaires nightly for the entire duration of the study (6 weeks). Daily scores were then averaged into weekly scores for each participant. Rating is scored from 0 (no symptoms) to 6 (very severe symptoms).
Time frame: Weekly for 6 weeks
Evaluation of the Effect of B. Subtilis R0179 on Wellness Questionnaires for Constipation
Daily Questionnaires consists of 24 symptom items evaluating general wellness. Participants filled out questionnaires nightly for the entire duration of the study (6 weeks). Daily scores were then averaged into weekly scores for each participant. Rating is scored from 0 (no symptoms) to 6 (very severe symptoms).
Time frame: Weekly for 6 weeks
Evaluation of the Effect of B. Subtilis R0179 on Wellness Questionnaires for Diarrhea
Daily Questionnaires consists of 24 symptom items evaluating general wellness. Participants filled out questionnaires nightly for the entire duration of the study (6 weeks). Daily scores were then averaged into weekly scores for each participant. Rating is scored from 0 (no symptoms) to 6 (very severe symptoms).
Time frame: Weekly for 6 weeks
Evaluation of the Effect of B. Subtilis R0179 on Wellness Questionnaires for Fatigue
Daily Questionnaires consists of 24 symptom items evaluating general wellness. Participants filled out questionnaires nightly for the entire duration of the study (6 weeks). Daily scores were then averaged into weekly scores for each participant. Rating is scored from 0 (no symptoms) to 6 (very severe symptoms).
Time frame: Weekly for 6 weeks
Evaluation of the Effect of B. Subtilis R0179 on Wellness Questionnaires for Satiety
Daily Questionnaires consists of 24 symptom items evaluating general wellness. Participants filled out questionnaires nightly for the entire duration of the study (6 weeks). Daily scores were then averaged into weekly scores for each participant. Rating is scored from 0 (no symptoms) to 6 (very severe symptoms).
Time frame: Weekly for 6 weeks
Evaluation of the Effect of B. Subtilis R0179 on Wellness Questionnaires for Bowel Movement
Daily Questionnaires consists of 24 symptom items evaluating general wellness. Participants filled out questionnaires nightly for the entire duration of the study (6 weeks). Daily scores were then averaged into weekly scores for each participant. Daily scores from weeks 2 - 5 were then averaged to arrive at a single value. Rating is scored from 0 (no symptoms) to 6 (very severe symptoms).
Time frame: Weekly for 6 weeks
Evaluation of the Effect of B. Subtilis R0179 on Wellness Questionnaires for Hours of Sleep
Daily Questionnaires consists of 24 symptom items evaluating general wellness. Participants filled out questionnaires nightly for the entire duration of the study (6 weeks). Daily scores were then averaged into weekly scores for each participant. Participants recorded the number of hours they slept on the daily questionnaire.
Time frame: Weekly for 6 weeks
Evaluation of the Effect of B. Subtilis R0179 on Gastrointestinal Symptoms Using Questionnaires
Gastrointestinal Symptom Questionaires (GSRS) was administered during weeks 1, 5, and 6 of the study to evaluate gastrointestinal symptoms. The scale ranges from 1 (no discomfort at all) to 7 (very severe discomfort).
Time frame: Weeks 1, 5, and 6
Evaluation of the Survival of B. Subtilis R0179 and Analyzing the Microbial Diversity in Stool Samples by Participants (Microbiota Study)
Viability of B. subtilis R0179, recovered from stool samples, was assessed using one way ANOVA followed subsequently by Tukey-Kramer HSD when significance was reached (p\<0.05). Data was normalized when appropriate. Data analyzed was log (CFU/g).
Time frame: 6 weeks