Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis HN019 Effects on Gut Health: A Review

Abstract

Optimal gut motility is central to bowel function and gut health. The link between the gut dysmotility related disorders and dysfunctional-intestinal barriers has led to a hypothesis that certain probiotics could help in normalizing gut motility and maintain gut health. This review investigates the roles of <i>Bifidobacterium animalis</i> subsp. <i>lactis</i> HN019 (<i>B. lactis</i> HN019™) on gut health, and its mechanisms of action in various pre-clinical and clinical studies. Research supports the hypothesis that <i>B. lactis</i> HN019™ has a beneficial role in maintaining intestinal barrier function during gastrointestinal infections by competing and excluding potential pathogens via different mechanisms; maintaining normal tight junction function <i>in vitro;</i> and regulating host immune defense toward pathogens in both <i>in vitro</i> and human studies. This has been observed to lead to reduced incidence of diarrhea. Interestingly, <i>B. lactis</i> HN019™ also supports normal physiological function in immunosenescent elderly and competes and excludes potential pathogens. Furthermore, <i>B. lactis</i> HN019™ reduced intestinal transit time and increased bowel movement frequency in functional constipation, potentially by modulating gut-brain-microbiota axis, mainly via serotonin signaling pathway, through short chain fatty acids derived from microbial fermentation. <i>B. lactis</i> HN019™ is thus a probiotic that can contribute to relieving gut dysmotility related disorders.