The effects of oral administration of enteric capsules containing Bifidobacterium longum JBL01, Lactobacillus gasseri JLG01 and Enterococcus faecium JEF01 in Bifina R on fecal properties were examined in healthy volunteers (32 men and 62 women, average age 35.4 years). A significant increase in the defecation frequency was observed in the constipated volunteer group whose initial defecation frequency was five or less times per week. In addition, the defecation quantity was increased in the constipated volunteer group. Also, the increase in the defecation quantity was observed in the not-constipated volunteer group whose initial defecation frequency was more than five times per week. An improvement in the fecal shape, a change in the fecal color from dark to light color were observed after the administration in all groups. These results demonstrated that an intake of Bifina R was effective to improve intestinal properties.

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Bacillus subtilis (C-3102) has been utilized as a probiotic feed additive for domestic animals. We reported that oral administration of the strain to domestic animals led improvement of intestinal bacterial microflora, better recovery from diarrhea, increment of body weight gain, amelioration of egg shell calcification and less fecal odor. We investigated here to evaluate the effects of 8 days consecutive intake of C-3102 on the composition and metabolic activity of human fecal microflora with 25 healthy volunteers (from 25 to 57 years old : 22 men and 3 women with average age of 39.6 years old). Twelve volunteers, one-tablet (1T) group, were given 1 tablet of C-3102 (containing 1×10⁸ cells of C-3102 per tablet) 3 times a day immediately after each meal, the other 13 volunteers, three-tablet (3T) group were given 3 of the tablet 3 times a day in the same manner. All volunteers had control meals for two days prior to fecal sample collection. The first stool after having the meals was collected. We studied the composition and metabolic activity of the subjects' fecal microflora. p-Cresol concentration in the feces was significantly decreased (p <0.001) and numerical decrease in the number of Enterobacteriaceae was observed in 3T group after the C-3102 intake. Fecal ammonia concentration was significantly decreased (p <0.05) in 12 volunteers whose ammonia concentration had been over 500 μg/g feces before C-3102 intake, independent from the C-3102 dose. The results suggest that C-3102 is effective in improving of the composition and metabolic activity of the human intestinal microflora, reducing putrefactive products and adjusting stool frequency of volunteers.

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To examine the prevention and medical treatment effect of gastrointestinal problems of an equine-specific Lactobacillus probiotic preparation for training-horses and foals, a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind clinical trial was conducted. Twenty-two thoroughbred yearings which incidence of diarrhea on the 3 days or more, reared at training pasture and 46 thoroughbred foals born at breeding farms were used in this study. The number of training-horses and foals given the probiotic (administered group) was equal to that given the placebo (control group) at each farm. Observation of clinical condition and measurement of short chain fatty acids (SCFAs) on the training-horses, observation of clinical condition and microflora analysis on the foals were performed. The incidence of diarrhea was significantly lower in the administered group than in the control group between the 6th and 8th day on the training-horses. Moreover, the incidence of diarrhea was significantly lower in the third week in the administered group (p <0.05) on the foals. The effect of the probiotic on the body weight of the foals was highly significant (p =0.013, repeated measures ANOVA). The body weight in the administered group was significantly greater than that in the control group after the 21st day. The mean body weight was 178.4±10.2 kg in the administered group and 164.5±10.1 kg in the control group three months after birth (p <0.01). These results suggest that administration of an equine-specific Lactobacillus probiotic to foals was effective in enhancing their growth and may be effective in preventing diarrhea. Moreover, it was thought that equine-specific Lactobacillus probiotic administration on the training horses had an effect on prevention and medical treatment of gastrointestinal problems, such as diarrhea. Furthermore, based on the additional findings that no abnormalities, including disease of the digestive organs, were found on evaluation of the clinical condition, we consider that equine-specific probiotic is safe and free from adverse side effects. It is suggested that this preparation has potential to various clinical application of horses.

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The effects of fermented milk whey containing novel bifidogenic growth stimulator (BGS) produced by Propionibacterium on fecal microflora, putrefactive metabolite, defecation frequency and fecal properties were studied in 18 senile volunteers (64-102 yr age) needed serious nursing-care taking enteral nutrition by tube feeding. The test powder food containing 0.4 g/day of freeze-dried BGS were given for 4 weeks. During BGS intake, defecation frequency and fecal quantity were increased significantly, the ratio of color of dark brown and strong odor of feces were decreased significantly. Detection rate of bifidobacteria was increased significantly and the number of Clostridium perfringens was decreased by 2log. In addition, fecal sulfide concentration and pH were decreased significantly after the intake. These results showed that BGS intake was effective to improve the intestinal environment, defecation frequency and fecal properties in senile men required serious nursing-care taking enteral nutrition by tube feeding.

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