This is a pilot exploratory study to investigate the effects of a probiotic Bifidobacterium longum NCC3001 intake on physiological and psychophysiological parameters related to stress in healthy individuals with mild to moderate stress level.
The purpose of the study is to explore the effects of a probiotic Bifidobacterium longum NCC3001 intake on physiological and psychophysiological parameters related to stress in healthy individuals with mild to moderate stress level. The objectives is three: * Measure the effects of a 6-week supplementation with NCC3001 on psychological and physiological parameters in response to an acute experimental stress; * Measure the effects of a 6-week supplementation with NCC3001 on chronic stress level, gastro-intestinal symptoms and sleep quality; * Explore changes in the profiles of biological parameters associated with ingestion of NCC3001; including changes in hormones, neurotransmitters, circulating immune and microbiome-derived molecules and changes in the microbiome itself
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
OTHER
Masking
QUADRUPLE
Enrollment
49
Probiotic supplementation
Placebo
Nestlé Research
Lausanne, Canton of Vaud, Switzerland
Salivary cortisol level
Salivary cortisol levels (nmol/L) before and after stressor
Time frame: Before the stressor (time-point -20 minutes) and after the stressor (time-point +0 min, time-point +5 min, time-point +10 min, time-point +20 min, time-point +30 min, time-point +40 min) at both baseline and after 6 weeks of treatment
Cortisol level from waking saliva samples
Cortisol level (nmol/L) from waking saliva samples collected 0, 15, 30, 45, 60 min after waking
Time frame: Baseline and after 6 weeks treatment
Mean heart rate variability
Mean heart rate variability in the time (ms) measured continuously before, during and after the stressor by means of a portable a computer-based data acquisition system from Biopac, Inc
Time frame: Baseline and after 6 weeks treatment
Heart frequency
Heart frequency (Hz) measured continuously before, during and after the stressor by means of a portable a computer-based data acquisition system from Biopac, Inc
Time frame: Baseline and after 6 weeks treatment
Mean skin conductance level
Mean skin conductance level (SCL, kΩ) measured continuously before, during and after the stressor by means of a portable a computer-based data acquisition system from Biopac, Inc
Time frame: Baseline and after 6 weeks treatment
Self-reported measures before and after the stressor (PANAS)
Positive and negative affect scores (1-50) computed with the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS)
Time frame: Baseline and after 6 weeks treatment
This platform is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional.
Self-reported measures before and after the stressor (STAI-6)
Likert scores (1-4) for 6 mood dimensions: calm, tense, upset, relaxed, content, worry from the State Trait Anxiety Inventory 6-item short form (STAI-6)
Time frame: Baseline and after 6 weeks treatment
Self-reported measures before, during and after the stressor (VAS)
VAS scores in mm (0-100) for subjective perception of the stress induction
Time frame: Baseline and after 6 weeks treatment
Self-reported endpoints from standard questionnaires (PSS)
Perceived stress score (0-56) computed from the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS)
Time frame: Baseline and after 6 weeks treatment
Self-reported endpoints from standard questionnaires (HADs)
Scores (0-21) of depression and anxiety computed from the Hospital Anxiety and Depression scale (HADs)
Time frame: Baseline and after 6 weeks treatment
Self-reported endpoints from standard questionnaires (GSRS)
Scores from the Gastrointestinal Symptom-Rating Scale (GSRS): scores range from 1 to 7 and higher scores represent more discomfort
Time frame: Baseline and after 6 weeks treatment
Self-reported endpoints from standard questionnaires (Pittsburgh Sleep Quality)
Sleep quality score from the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index questionnaire (score 0-21: the lower, the better sleep quality)
Time frame: Baseline and after 6 weeks treatment
Probiotic in feces
Probiotic quantity in feces (genome copy number / million 16S copy number)
Time frame: Baseline and after 6 weeks treatment
Microbiome related metabolites in stool, blood and urine
Microbiome related metabolites in stool, blood and urine
Time frame: Baseline and after 6 weeks treatment