International scientists gathered for Institut Rosell-Lallemand
Scientific Exchange break new ground on probiotics research and pave the
way for new applications
QUEBEC CITY, Nov. 25 /CNW Telbec/ - Over 40 scientists and experts from
different universities and research centres across North America and Europe
gathered this month in Quebec City to participate in Institut
Rosell-Lallemand's Scientific Exchange. With varying though complementary
backgrounds ranging from neuroscience to gastroenterology through animal
behaviour, all shared a common interest in probiotics research and
applications. The meeting focused on the intricate and complex relationship
between the brain and the gut. New and exciting data were shared, contributing
to establishing the interactions between this "brain-gut" axis and the gut
microflora, and the potential of probiotic use. Fascinating behavioural
studies in animal models showed that probiotics can help to manage stress and
anxiety and influence behaviour, which helps to explain observations in human
clinical trials. Moreover, complex diseases known to involve the brain-gut
axis, such as Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), can be targeted with probiotics.
This unique interdisciplinary meeting was a real platform for exchanging ideas
and methodological approaches. It allowed the participants to set new
directions for future probiotics research and paved the way for new
applications.
The brain, the gut and the bugs: a fascinating triangle
The idea of a brain-gut axis is not a new concept, the first scientific
studies of the subject dating back to the 1960s. The fact that communication
works both ways and that the gut can talk to the brain is a more innovative
approach. Even more novel is the idea of looking at the role of the intestinal
microflora, or microbiota, with the addition of probiotics, in this brain-gut
cross-talk.
As explained by Professor Stephen Collins of McMaster University Medical
Centre (Canada): "The intestinal microbiota has profound effects on host
function and should be incorporated into a modern conceptualization of the
gut-brain axis." He added: "In this model, changes in brain responses, such as
stress or anxiety, influence the physiology of the gut, altering the habitat
for the microbiota. The microbiota, in turn, influences gut physiology and
immunity at the gut mucosa level. Our recent data indicate that perturbation
of the microbiota also influences behaviour. These findings raise the
possibility that the microbiota plays a pivotal role in functional
gastro-intestinal disorders such as Irritable Bowel Syndrome, where the
perturbation of the microbiota not only induces gut dysfunction, but may also
contribute to the psychiatric co-morbidity that exists in up to 60% of these
patients."
Until now, probiotics had mostly been documented for their role in
digestive health and functions (prevention of diarrhoea or bloating, transit
regulation, lactose intolerance...). Recently, scientists have also studied
their interactions with the immune system, either to stimulate the body's
defences or prevent allergies. With their action on the gut microflora
balance, probiotics could also affect the brain-gut axis, as confirmed during
the seminar.
Effects of probiotics on behaviour, stress and anxiety
More than ten different scientific studies were presented, showing how
specific probiotic preparations play a role in animal behaviour, their
reaction to stress, anxiety, or memory formation post-infection. For example,
Didier Desor, Professor of Behavioural and Cognitive Neurosciences at
University Henri Poincaré in Nancy (France), presented a pre-clinical study
with a probiotic preparation (Probio'Stick(TM) from Institut Rosell-Lallemand)
which has already been shown to be effective in humans in reducing the
gastro-intestinal symptoms linked to stress. Using a mouse model validated
with Diazepam, it was shown that the probiotic was able to reduce signs of
anxiety, displaying an "anxiolytic-like" effect. Such effect had not been
previously described with probiotics.
For animals raised with modern production methods, stress is a recurrent
issue, making them a good model for researching the effects of probiotics on
well-being and stress. Several significant studies were presented showing how
probiotics, which are increasingly used in animal nutrition, can impact stress
and behaviour. For instance, a ruminant-specific probiotic yeast can help
regularize feeding patterns in dairy cows. Other probiotics help reduce stress
in sows around parturition, an extremely critical step of the pig production
cycle.
All these fascinating results open the way to a new area of probiotic
applications in human health. Probiotics could improve quality of life for
chronic stress or anxiety sufferers, for example.
All probiotics are different
One of the evident conclusions that came from the numerous discussions
during the seminar was the renewed certitude that all strains are different.
The benefits exerted by a particular microbial strain or blend of strains
cannot be extended to others. Some of the studies presented were conducted on
different probiotic preparations and the outcomes were diverging. We are just
beginning to comprehend the necessity of matching a probiotic with a state of
health.
Looking to the future
During the round-table discussion, it came out loud and clear that
experts from different disciplines in both human and animal health have a lot
to learn from each other. Professor Phil Sherman, from the Hospital for Sick
Children, University of Toronto (Canada), who chaired the discussion,
concluded that: "the seminar was a great opportunity to build bridges, not
only between the industry and academia but also between the different
disciplines." We are learning that nutrition, gut health and psychological
health need, more and more, to be linked together. All the participants left
with new ideas and concepts which will be exchanged through new collaborations
and interactions.
Note to Editors
About Institut Rosell-Lallemand Scientific Exchange
Institut Rosell-Lallemand Scientific Exchange gathers actors from
Institut Rosell-Lallemand's research partnerships network, in order to share
their views and results and shape the future of probiotics research. Institut
Rosell-Lallemand Scientific Exchange 2008 was held in Québec City in early
November and focused on the gut-brain axis and its interactions with
probiotics.
About Lallemand and Institut Rosell
Lallemand, Inc. is a privately owned Canadian company specialized in the
development, production and marketing of yeast and bacteria, as well as other
ingredients linked to these microorganisms or their markets. Institut Rosell
has been part of the Lallemand Group since 1998. Today, it is part of
Lallemand's Human Health and Nutrition Division and is dedicated to the
selection, development, production and marketing of probiotic formulations for
the food and pharmaceutical industries. With extensive experience in the
culturing and production of live microorganisms since 1932, the company
conducts advanced research programs aimed at better understanding the
properties, functions and beneficial effects of these probiotic formulations
on health. For more information, please visit www.lallemand.com and
www.institut-rosell.com, or contact human@lallemand.com.
For further information: Sylvie Roquefeuil-Dedieu, press officer, +33
(0) 6 84 72 76 10, sroquefeuil-dedieu@rosell.com
