Pediococcus acidilactici PA53 Improves Emotional Well-Being and Gut Health While Modulating Microbiota Composition in...

The gut-brain axis links the intestinal microbiota to emotional health, a critical concern in aging populations experiencing gut dysbiosis.

This study aimed to evaluate whether supplementation with Pediococcus acidilactici PA53, through modulation of the gut microbiota, could improve emotional well-being in healthy older adults.

In an 8-wk randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, 75 older adults (aged 55-70 y) received either a placebo (maltodextrin) or Pediococcus acidilactici PA53 (PA53) (maltodextrin + 30 billion colony-forming units/d). Fecal microbiota (16S ribosomal RNA sequencing) and serum biomarkers (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay) were assessed at baseline and week 8. Data were analyzed using t tests/nonparametric tests and permutational multivariate analysis of variance, with P < 0.05 considered statistically significant.

After 8 wk, the Pediococcus acidilactici PA53 supplementation group (PA53 group) showed statistically significant improvements in happiness (Memorial University of Newfoundland Scale of Happiness: 33.75 compared with 38.05, +12.7%, P < 0.05), gastrointestinal symptoms (Gastrointestinal Symptom Rating Scale: 17.50 compared with 15.83, -9.5%, P < 0.001; Bristol Stool Scale: 2.50 compared with 3.20, +28%, P < 0.01), and sleep quality (Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index: 5.62 compared with 4.33, -23.0%, P < 0.05). Although perceived stress scores in the PA53 group decreased from 38.21 to 36.94 (-3.3%), this within-group change lacked statistical significance, despite showing a significant between-group advantage over the placebo. Serum IL-6 and TNF-α decreased significantly (IL-6: from 135.6 ± 35.2 to 108.4 ± 26.0 pg/mL; TNF-α: from 65.8 ± 19.5 pg/mL to 54.2 ± 15.9 pg/mL), whereas IL-25 increased (from 48.8 ± 16.3 to 68.5 ± 14.9 pg/mL) (P < 0.001). PA53 intervention significantly altered the relative abundance of Bacillota (P < 0.05) and increased beneficial genera including Ruminococcus (from 1.1% to 2.2%), Lachnospiraceae ND3007 group, Blautia (from 7.6% to 11.4%), and Faecalibacterium (increased from 6.9% to 10.6%).

PA53 supplementation illustrated beneficial effects on fecal microbiota and well-being in elderly individuals, suggesting its potential as a probiotic intervention.