攝取木寡醣與益生菌對腸道菌相之影響

益生菌(Probiotics)可以改善腸道內微生物的菌相平衡促進宿主的健康，而益生質(prebiotics)木寡醣(xylooligosaccharides)則是益生菌的促生物質，對腸道菌相有改善作用。本研究以人體臨床試驗探討攝取木寡醣及益生菌對於腸道菌相的影響。37位(22~58歲)健康受試者隨機分為2組，一組(n=19)每日攝食2小包(每包4.2公克)含 Lactobacillus acidophilus、Bacillus coagulans及xylooligosaccharides(XOS)的A配方，另一組為安慰劑組(n=18)每日攝食2小包(每包4.2公克)之B配方。本研究共進行7週，試驗分成3個階段，第一階段為第一週的飲食調整期(run-in period)，第二階段為四週的攝食期(administration period)，第三階段為停止攝食後為期二週的觀察期(follow-up period)。試驗中每週收集一次受試者糞便檢體進行雙叉桿菌、乳酸桿菌、產氣莢膜梭菌、大腸桿菌及總厭氧菌等腸道主要益生菌和有害菌的菌數測定分析。結果顯示，連續攝食木寡醣及益生菌四週能使腸道中雙叉桿菌與乳酸桿菌的菌落數顯著增加(p<0.05)，其效果可維持至停止攝食後的2週觀察期，並使腸道中的有害菌產氣莢膜梭菌與大腸桿菌的菌落數顯著地減少(p<0.05)。攝食安慰劑B配方對於腸道菌相及菌落數均無顯著影響。

Probiotics can promote health by improving the intestinal flora. Xylooligosaccharides is one kind of prebiotics, which can selectively promote the growth of probiotics. This study was conducted to investigate the effect of ingested combination of xylooligosaccharides and probiotics on the human intestinal flora. 37 healthy adults aged 22 to 58 were randomized into two groups. Formula A (n=19), daily ingestion of 2 packs of sample (4.2 g per pack), containing Lactobacillus acidophilus, Bacillus coagulans and xylooligosaccharides(XOS). Formula B, The placebo group (n=18), daily ingestion of 2 packs of placebo (without probiotics and prebiotics). The total experimental duration of this study was seven weeks. One week before experiment was run-in period. Four weeks of continuous ingestion of formula A or formula B were administration period. Two weeks after administration were follow-up period. The total aerobic bacteria, Bifidobacterium spp., Lactobacillus spp., E. coil, and Clostridium perfringens were examined every week. Results indicated that four weeks of administration of formula A significantly increased the colony counts of gastrointestinal Bifidobacteria spp and Lactobacillus spp (p<0.05), decreased the clostridium perfringens and E.coli (p<0.05). The use of formula B did not affect the intestinal flora.