1. Background
Stress is a necessary adaptation for homeostasis, performance, and survival. Stress response occurs when the individual experiences an unpleasant, incompatible, or threatening tension in the internal environment or in the face of external challenges. Stress and its consequences have been dealt with in a wide range of scientific studies and research (1). Sport is always a kind of stressful activity (2). Endurance athletes put their bodies in a harsh environment that causes the disruption of homeostasis and normal functioning of the body. Intense exercise for a long time leads the body to begin to respond defensively by secreting acute phase proteins, releasing hormones, and altering metabolic balance (3). In addition, endurance exercise has a profound effect on oxidative stress, intestinal permeability, muscle damage, systemic inflammation, and immune response. Oxidative stress leads to an increase in the level of oxygen radicals inside the cell, causing damage to fats, proteins, and DNA (3). Antioxidant enzymes contribute to one of the most important protective mechanisms of the body against oxidative stress. Among these enzymes, superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPX) play important roles in the removal of free radicals (4). Scientists emphasize the importance of integrity and function of the digestive system and its beneficial bacteria as an effective factor in depression and other psychological disorders. Mental disorders are associated with inflammation, increased oxidative stress, and inflammatory cytokines. In fact, mood disorders and fatigue can be induced by systemic lipopolysaccharide injection (5, 6). Studies have shown that probiotics can act as a regulator and exert a positive effect on systemic cytokine, oxidative stress, and inflammatory cytokines (5). Fatigue, mood disorders, performance weakness, and gastrointestinal upset are common among athletes during training and competition (1). Recent evidence in mouse models shows a high correlation between physical and emotional stress during exercise and changes in microbial digestive compounds. For example, stress caused by the reduction of serum levels of Turicibacter spp and Ruminococcus gnavus during exercise, which plays an important role in damaging the intestinal mucosa and reducing the immune system's performance (1). Several strategies to reduce oxidative stress include the use of antioxidants, especially vitamins A, C, and E, carotenoids, polyphenols, as well as diets rich in vegetables and fruits (7-9). Probiotics have been recently proposed to reduce oxidative stress. Probiotics may reduce the oxidative stress through exerting effects such as cytokine production, IL-1 reduction and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) and glutathione (GPX) levels increment (10). The two distinct but reciprocal systems that affect stress response during exercise include the sympathetic-adrenal-medullary (SAM) axis and the hypothalamic pituitary adrenal (HPA) axis; by activating these axes, catecholamines (norepinephrine and epinephrine) and glucocorticoids are released into the circulatory system. A systematic review of endurance exercise and gastrointestinal system assessment of the intestine indicated that intestinal microbial flora may play a key role in controlling oxidative stress and inflammatory response, as well as improving metabolism and energy consumption during intense exercise (11, 12). According to Purvis et al., it is estimated that between %20 and %60 of athletes suffer from stress due to excessive exercise and inadequate treatment (13). Considering the interaction between the intestinal axis and the brain on stress and its association with consumed food.
2. Objectives
The purpose of this study was to examine the interaction between the consumption of probiotic supplementation and stress responses induced by exercise and its effects on the health and performance of athletes.
3. Methods
3.1. Participants
Forty athletic soldiers participated in a randomized, double-blind, controlled trial. This study was approved by the ethics committee of the AJA University of Medical Sciences (IR.AJAUMS.1394.01). The study followed the Helsinki guidelines and informed consent was received from the participants. During the study, the participants were asked to take no relaxation medication. Soldiers with specific mental disorders and smokers were excluded from the study.
3.2. Study Procedure
The athletes soldiers aged 20 to 22 years participated in the study. They were asked to refrain from the consumption of any probiotic or synbiotic food. A psychiatrist and a nutritionist supervised the study process. The participants were divided into two groups. Everyone received one glass of fruit juice a day for 12 weeks based on the following pattern: Group 1 receiving the probiotic juice and group 2 receiving only juice without supplement (placebo). The participants exercised three times a week. Each training session included swimming a total distance of 3800 m during two hours and a half. Within three months, each person recorded his diet and physical activity daily. To examine the psychological conditions of individuals, a standard questionnaire namely the Profile of Mood States (POMS) was used to determine the mood status. In addition, the final concentration of oxidative stress enzymes and total antioxidant capacity in the participants' blood were assessed using kits (Parsazmon Kit, Iran).
3.3. Intervention
For the first group (test), the juice contained 2×109 colony-forming units (CFU) of Bacillus coagulans (from Takgenzist Company) while the second group received non-complementary juice (placebo).
3.4. Evaluation of Variables
The weight (kg) and body mass index (BMI) (weight in kg/square height in m2) of each person were calculated at the beginning and end of the study (week 12). Blood samples (10 mL) were collected in tubes containing EDTA before and after the exercise every two weeks. Blood samples were centrifuged immediately for seven minutes at 2700 rpm to separate the sera. Plasma was used to measure the total antioxidant capacity, erythrocytes were centrifuged for 10 minutes after three times of washing with NaCl at 4°C and used to measure glutathione peroxidase and superoxide dismutase activity.
3.5. Biochemical Evaluation
From the beginning until the end of the study, blood samples were taken from each person every three days, as well as 15 days before and after the exercise training (swimming 3800 m). Blood samples were collected in EDTA-containing tubes. The samples were centrifuged (Hettich D-78532, Tuttlingen, Germany) to collect the sera. The activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPX) in blood samples collected diagnostic kit respectively by Zelbo (ZB- (SOD-48A, ZB-GPX-48A) were investigated. To measure the activity of superoxide dismutase, xanthine, and xanthine oxidase, superoxide radicals were used to react with a substance called phenyl tetrazolium chloride and form a complex of formazan. The enzyme activity and optical absorption of this reaction were measured at 505 nm (14).
GSSG + NADPH-NADP + 2GSH
Glutathione peroxidase oxidizes glutathione and the glutathione peroxidase oxidizes glutathione, and the oxidized glutathione, will be reduced again by glutathione reductase and NADPH. In this reaction, NADP+ is also produced. The glutathione peroxidase activity was determined by measuring the absorption of light at 340 nm (15).
H2O2 + 2GSH-2H2O + GSSH
LOOH + 2GSH-H2O + LOH + GSSH
The ZellBio assay kits (ZA-TAC-48A) were used to determine the total antioxidant capacity. In this method, the ability of plasma to reduce iron was measured. By regenerating ferric ions (Fe+3) in acidic pH, converting it into Ferro (Fe+2) and creating proprietary reagents, the blue complex was created and quantified at 593 nm wavelength (16).
3.6. Psychological Assessment
The psychological conditions of individuals were assessed using an international questionnaire named the POMS (17). The questionnaire includes the following items: Confident, tired, anxious, helpless, happiness, furious, worthless, strong, embarrassed, tension, proud, restless, depression, sad, hopeless, nervous, fatigue, energetic, fresh, ashamed, and confused. Each person determined his mental state on a five-point scale including not at all = 0, a little = 1, moderately = 2, quite a lot = 3, and extremely = 4. The final score of each person was calculated using the below formula:
Final score = tension + depression + furious + fatigue + confused) – happiness
3.7. Statistical Methods
The Kolmogorov-Smirnov test was used to determine the normal distribution of variables. An analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to determine the effects of probiotic juice and placebo on oxidative stress biomarkers and psychological conditions in the two groups. The paired samples t-test was used to identify the intragroup differences (beginning and the end of the experiment). The independent samples t-test was used to diagnose the differences in general characteristics between the two groups. P values of less than 0.05 were considered significant. All statistical analyses were performed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences version 18, 2011 version 18 software (SPSS Inc., Chicago, Illinois, USA).
4. Results
Two out of 42 participants in the study were excluded due to non-compliance with the inclusion criteria. 40 subjects (20 in each group) completed the test. After taking the probiotic juice during the study, no side effects were reported. During the first month of the experiment, no significant changes were observed in the level of oxidative stress enzymes and the mental concentration level of the two groups. With increasing the probiotic supplementation time (six weeks before the end of the study), the test group showed a significant increase in SOD compared to the control group (43.10 ± 0.1000 vs. 28.25 ± 0.2500 u/mL; P < 0.0001) and GPX (289.5 ± 1.500 vs. 160.0 ± 1.000 u/mL; P < 0.0001), total oxidative stress capacity (1.975 ± 0.005 vs. 1.365 ± 0.005 u/mL; P < 0.0001) (Table 2). In addition, there was a significant reduction in stress (stress, anger, fear, etc.) after taking probiotic supplementation compared to the placebo group. The mean age, height, weight, and BMI at baseline and 12 weeks after the analysis in both groups showed no significant difference (Table 1).
| Placebo, (n = 20) | Probiotic, (n = 20) | |
|---|---|---|
| Age, y | 20.55 ± 0.2500 | 20.83 ± 0.07500 |
| Height, cm | 176.6 ± 0.4500 | 175.6 ± 0.3000 |
| Weight at study baseline, kg | 64.50 ± 0.3000 | 66.40 ± 0.1000 |
| Weight at end-of-trial, kg | 65.25 ± 0.2500 | 68.50 ± 1.300 |
| Weight change, kg | 0.2100 ± 0.01000 | 0.6800 ± 0.02000 |
| BMI at study baseline (kg/m2) | 20.74 ± 0.2350 | 21.58 ± 0.1550 |
| BMI at end-of-trial (kg/m2) | 21.27 ± 0.2350 | 21.98 ± 0.02000 |
| BMI change (kg/m2) | 0.4300 ± 0.3700 | 0.2300 ± 0.01000 |
a Values are expressed as mean ± SD.
b Obtained from the independent t-test.
| Placebo, (n = 20) | Probiotic, (n = 20) | |
|---|---|---|
| GPX (u/mL) | ||
| Baseline | 185.1 ± 0.1000 | 202.5 ± 2.500 |
| Wk 4 | 165.5 ± 2.500 | 248.5 ± 1.500c |
| Wk 12 | 160.0 ± 1.000 | 289.5 ± 1.500d |
| SOD (u/mL) | ||
| Baseline | 34.50 ± 0.5000 | 31.50 ± 0.5000 |
| Wk 4 | 30.90 ± 0.1000 | 37.75 ± 0.2500c |
| Wk 12 | 28.25 ± 0.2500 | 43.10 ± 0.1000d |
| Total Capacity (u/mL) | ||
| Baseline | 1.545 ± 0.005000 | 1.525 ± 0.005000 |
| Wk 4 | 1.410 ± 0.01000 | 1.670 ± 0.01000c |
| Wk 12 | 1.365 ± 0.005000 | 1.975 ± 0.005000d |
aValues are expressed as mean ± SD.
b Obtained from the independent t-test.
c P < 0.001.
d P < 0.0001.
Figure 1.
A summary of the patient flow diagram
5. Discussion
In this study, the effect of probiotic juice consumption of Bacillus coagulans was investigated on oxidative stress biomarkers and psychological conditions of swimmer soldiers for 12 weeks. The results showed that probiotic juice had favorable effects on the reduction of oxidative stress biomarkers of athletic soldiers. In the course of the intense exercise, the extent of metabolism in skeletal muscles increases by 100 times compared to the resting state. With a significant increase in oxygen consumption, the production of superoxide anions increases in mitochondria. Probiotics can reduce the risk of developing respiratory and digestive diseases during stressful exercise sessions by altering the natural flora of the body and maintaining the integrity of the mucosal defense system in the respiratory and digestive system (18). Athletes are reported to have a strong antioxidant defense system. Continuous intense exercise increases the number of free radicals and regulates the expression of antioxidant enzymes. However, hard and prolonged exercise can increase the athlete's sensitivity to exercise-induced oxidative damage (18). The results of Mishra et al. showed that probiotics enhance the antioxidant system by increasing the production of antioxidant peptides and repairing the intestinal microbial flora (19). Other studies have proven the effects of probiotic lactobacilli antioxidants. In addition, other probiotic species have shown beneficial effects on the protein-induced oxidation of exercise. The effects of using probiotic supplements on the concentration of superoxide dismutase, glutathione reductase, and catalase enzymes have been proven in previous studies (18).
In another part of our study, probiotic juice was used to improve the mental condition of individuals. Some studies have suggested that intestinal microbiota, modified by probiotic supplementation, can significantly reduce the anxiety score and treatment anxiety disorders. Pinto-Sanchez et al. showed that a probiotic (called Bifidobacterium longum called BL) could reduce the anxiety scores and increase the quality of life of patients. The results of the mentioned study confirm the results of our study (20). The results of Akkasheh et al. study are correspond with our findings and show that probiotic supplementation has a positive effect on depression (21). Gut bacteria play an important role in many aspects of biology, including metabolism, endocrine gland secretion, neuronal function, and immune function. In another 14-day study, the combination of Lactobacillus helveticus and Bifidobacterium longum reduced anxiety behavior in Wistar rats and probiotics probably reduced hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axes (HPA) and autonomic nervous system (ANS) activity (22). In 2013, Ohland et al. measured the effect of Lactobacillus helveticus on anxiety behaviors. Examining the results showed that probiotics can control host physiological function (23). Another study showed that the daily intake of Bifidobacterium longum and Bifidobacterium berry reduced anxiety in mice (24). A study by Wang et al. showed that Lactobacillus fermentum strain NS9 had beneficial effects on mental health and could reverse physiological and psychological abnormalities in mice (25). The use of Bifidobacterium longum R0175 for 30 days reduced the anxiety and stress levels in individuals and caused a significant improvement in anxiety and depression (26). In human, Lactobacillus rhamnosus could increase antioxidant activity under physical stress conditions (27). According to the results of this study and other studies, it can be concluded that probiotic supplements can be considered an appropriate medication without side effects for increasing the antioxidant system performance and improving the mental status of the persons.
