Supplementation With Bacillus clausii UBBC-07 Enhances Circulating Essential Amino Acids in Young Adults: A Double-Blind, Randomized, Controlled Trial

TL;DR

A study found that taking a probiotic called Bacillus clausii UBBC-07 with whey protein increased essential amino acids in young adults, possibly improving muscle strength.

Contribution

This is the first study to show that Bacillus clausii UBBC-07 enhances circulating essential amino acids and muscle performance in physically active young adults.

Findings

Probiotic supplementation increased total essential amino acids by 258 pmol/μl compared to the control group.

Levels of branched-chain amino acids like leucine and isoleucine improved significantly in the probiotic group.

Participants taking the probiotic showed better leg press performance and trends toward improved deadlift and vertical jump.

Abstract

Background and aim

Probiotics have been linked to improved gastrointestinal health and essential nutrient absorption. This study aimed to assess the impact of Bacillus clausii(Shouchella clausii) UBBC-07 plus whey protein supplementation on the bioavailability of circulating essential amino acids (EAAs) in physically active young adults.

Methods

In this double-blind, randomized, controlled trial, 70 physically active male participants (21.46±3.19 years) were instructed to ingest either a probiotic supplement containing two billion colony-forming unit (CFU) Bacillus clausii UBBC-07 + 20 g of whey protein or a control supplement containing placebo + 20 g of whey protein once daily for 60 days. All the participants followed a supervised exercise protocol. The circulating amino acid levels were determined using a high-performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection (HPLC-FLD) assay and compared using the student's t-test and a repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA).

Results

After 60 days, a significant improvement in the probiotic group was observed compared to the control group in terms of total levels of circulating EAAs (mean change: 258 pmol/μl, 95% CI: 161.5-354.4 vs. 76.4 pmol/μl, 95% CI: 16.5-136.4; p=0.002) and branched-chain amino acids or BCAAs (mean change: 144.2 pmol/μl, 95% CI: 89-199.3 vs. 37.5 pmol/μl, 95% CI: 7.3-67.8; p=0.001) as well as levels of isoleucine (p=0.003), leucine (p>0.001), and valine (p=0.001). Total plasma free amino acids (PFAAs) were also increased in the probiotic group (p<0.001). The improvement in the one-repetition maximum (RM) leg press was higher in the probiotic group as compared to the control group (mean change: 20.46 kg, 95% CI: 14.73-26.19 vs. 14.09 kg, 95% CI: 8.44, 19.73; p=0.045). A trend towards improvement in deadlift and vertical jump was also observed in the former group. No probiotic-mediated gastrointestinal upsets and respiratory symptoms or any other adverse events were observed.

Conclusion

A significant improvement in circulating EAA levels in the probiotic group suggests an enhancement of protein absorption with Bacillus clausii UBBC-07 supplementation. The effect of BCAAs, which enhance muscle strength, is evident in the significant improvement in leg press and a trend towards improvement in deadlift and vertical jump in the probiotic group. This has positive implications for individuals involved in sports activities.

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