乳酸菌Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. delbrueckii TUA4408L により発酵させた発酵豆乳の摂取が便秘傾向の健康成人における便通および腸内細菌叢に及ぼす影響―ランダム化プラセボ対照二重盲検並行群間試験―

Objectives　The purpose of this study was to verify the effect of continuous ingestion of a lactic fermented soymilk（LFS）by Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. delbrueckii TUA4408L on improving bowel movements, and to clarify whether or not the mechanism is through improvement of the intestinal flora. Methods　In this study, we designed a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind, parallel-group study of 104 healthy adults with a tendency to constipation. The test food group（n＝51）and placebo group（n＝50）ingested LFS（TUA4408L count：6.0×108 CFU/120 g）or placebo（yogurt-like food without soymilk and TUA4408L, 120 g） once a day for 2 weeks, respectively. A primary endpoint was the amount of change in the number of bowel movements. Secondary endpoints were changes in the following items: days of defecation, volume of stool, characteristics of stool（shape, color, odor）, sensation after defecation, gastrointestinal symptoms, occupancy of intestinal bacteria in Bifidobacterium, Lactobacillus and Clostridium. Results　Number of defecations（LFS, 1.2±0.2；P, 0.3±0.1 times/week, P＜0.001）, numberof defecation days（LFS, 1.1±0.2；P, 0.2±0.1 days/week）, P＜0.001）, and the stool shape score（LFS, 0.3±0.1；P, －0.1±0.1 points╱time, P＜0.016）showed a significant increase, respectively. The amount of change in the occupancy rate of Clostridium was significantly reduced（LFS, －0.8±0.3；P, 0.3±0.3％, P＜0.0077）. Conclusions　The number of defecations and days of defecation increased due to LFS intake, and the effect of improving constipation was observed. In the intestinal flora, there was no increase in Bifidobacterium or Lactobacillus, but a significant decrease in the occupancy rate of Clostridium. （UMIN ID: UMIN000042292）