Intake of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum HEAL9 Improves Cogn…

Nutrients 2023 , 15 , 3466

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The ratio between female/male were equal in both LPHEAL9 and placebo groups, 65% vs. 67%. The mean (min–max) age was 35.2 (21–52) years, and the BMI was 26.4 (19–47) kg/m 2 (Table 1). 8 of 17

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Table1. Summary of demographic data at inclusion (mean, range). Table 1. Summary of demographic data at inclusion (mean, range). ITT LPHEAL9 ( n = 65) ITT Placebo ( n = 64)

PPLPHEAL9 ( n =56) PP LPHEAL9 ( n = 56) 66% 36.0 (21–52) 26.6 (20–40) 36.0 (21–52) 26.6 (20–40) 66%

PPPlacebo ( n =57) 67% 34.6 (21–50) 26.8 (20–47) 34.6 (21–50) 26.8 (20–47) PP Placebo ( n = 57) 67%

ITT LPHEAL9 ( n =65)

ITT Placebo ( n =64) 34.9 (21–50) 26.6 (19–47) 67% 67% 34.9 (21–50) 26.6 (19–47)

Females Age, year BMI, kg/m 2 BMI, kg/m 2 Females Age, year

65%

65% 35.5 (21–52) 26.3 (19–40)

35.5 (21–52) 26.3 (19–40)

No significant differences at inclusion between intervention groups. No signi fi cant di ff erences at inclusion between intervention groups.

3.2. Perceived Stress and Awakening Cortisol Perceived stress reduced significantly in both groups during the intervention period of 12 weeks with no significant difference between the groups (Figure 2, Table S1). The mean reduction in PSS score after 12 weeks of intake was 28.3% in the LPHEAL9 group and 26.6% in the placebo group ( p = 0.69 between groups). All subjects had moderate stress at baseline (PSS mean 17.9; min 14; max 26), while 50.8% in the LPHEAL9 group and 48.4% in the placebo group had low stress after 12 weeks of intervention (a PSS below 14; NS difference between groups). 3.2. Perceived Stress and Awakening Cortisol Perceived stress reduced signi fi cantly in both groups during the intervention period of 12 weeks with no signi fi cant di ff erence between the groups (Figure 2, Table S1). The mean reduction in PSS score after 12 weeks of intake was 28.3% in the LPHEAL9 group and 26.6% in the placebo group ( p = 0.69 between groups). All subjects had moderate stress at baseline (PSS mean 17.9; min 14; max 26), while 50.8% in the LPHEAL9 group and 48.4% in the placebo group had low stress after 12 weeks of intervention (a PSS below 14; NS di ff erence between groups).

Figure 2. Perceived stress as measured by Cohens Perceived Stress Scale (PSS). Both LPHEAL9 and placebo groups experienced a signi fi cant decline in PPS from baseline to week 12. Within group di ff erence compared to baseline *** p < 0.001 (Wilcoxon Signed-Rank Test). Stress was also evaluated by measuring the cortisol awakening response. The salivary cortisol levels were measured four times during one hour after the subjects woke up, at baseline, and after 4, 8, and 12 weeks of intervention. The area under the curve (AUC) was determined together with the maximum level (Cmax) for each time point. Both groups displayed signi fi cantly lower AUC and Cmax over the intervention period, with the larg- est reduction observed at week 12 for the LPHEAL9 group and at week 8 for the placebo group with no signi fi cant di ff erences between the groups (Table S1). Normally the cortisol levels increase in the morning, but for about 38% of the subjects, the cortisol level did not Stress was also evaluated by measuring the cortisol awakening response. The salivary cortisol levels were measured four times during one hour after the subjects woke up, at baseline, and after 4, 8, and 12 weeks of intervention. The area under the curve (AUC) was determined together with the maximum level (Cmax) for each time point. Both groups displayed significantly lower AUC and Cmax over the intervention period, with the largest Figure 2. Perceived stress as measured by Cohen’s Perceived Stress Scale (PSS). Both LPHEAL9 and placebo groups experienced a significant decline in PPS from baseline to week 12. Within group difference compared to baseline *** p < 0.001 (Wilcoxon Signed-Rank Test).