What is already known
Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is a widespread condition affecting older men worldwide. Increasing evidence supports a strong connection between gut health and prostate conditions, including BPH. Studies have shown that probiotics improve intestinal health and influence systemic conditions, including inflammation and hormonal balance.
What this research adds
By using a 3D intestinal barrier model and a co-culture prostatic model, researchers assessed the effects of Bifidobacterium longum BLG1 and Bifidobacterium psychraerophilum Q5 under conditions mimicking BPH. They found that after intestinal passage, the mediators released by B. longum BLG1 and B. psychraerophilum Q5 were able to reduce reactive oxidative species (ROS), decrease inflammation, increase testosterone and serotonin levels, and nearly restore levels of androgen and dihydrotestosterone, key mediators of BPH.
Conclusions
The findings confirm a strong link between the gut microbiome and prostate disease, supporting the therapeutic potential of probiotics for BPH. In particular, combined supplementation with B. longum BLG1 and B. psychraerophilum Q5 effectively mitigates the pathogenesis of BPH and could serve as a promising non-invasive strategy for treating BPH.
Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is a non-malignant abnormal growth of the prostate leading to incapacitating symptoms related to urination. It is a high prevalent condition more commonly found in elderly men (over 94 million cases were registered in 2019). Now researchers have found that specific probiotics can reduce prostatic inflammation and slow the progression of BPH.
The study published on Foods Journal, found that Bifidobacterium longum BLG1 and Bifidobacterium psychraerophilum reduce inflammation, lower oxidative stress and hormones like dihydrotestosterone, which contributes to prostate enlargement, and restore a healthy balance in the gut and prostate.
Several studies demonstrated the existence of a “gut–prostate axis”, where alteration in the gut barrier can increase systemic inflammation, worsening prostate conditions. Probiotics may help manage BPH by improving gut health, reducing inflammation, and supporting the immune system.
Previous research has shown that metabolites derived from gut bacteria modulate prostate enlargement and Bifidobacterium strains can help reduce symptoms and slow BPH progression. Therefore, investigating the efficacy of various Bifidobacterium strains in reducing the progression of BPH appears promising.
To examine the advantages of a novel oral probiotic supplement to treat BPH, scientists lead by Francesca Umberti at the Department for Sustainable Development and Ecological Transition, Italy, developed an in vitro model that mimics the gut–prostate axis and used co-culture prostatic systems to examine the primary effects of probiotics on the prostate.
Effects of B. longum BLG1 and B. psychraerophilum Q5 on in vitro intestinal barrier
To replicate the complexity of the human intestinal barrier, an in vitro 3D intestinal model was developed, and B. longumBLG1 and B. psychraerophilum Q5 intestinal regulatory capacities were tested. Treatment with both strains enhanced intestinal barrier integrity and permeability regulation, and significantly increased short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) and butyric acid production. Specifically, SCFA and butyric acid production was elevated following the combined treatment with both probiotics compared to the single strains, suggesting the synergistic effects of the strains to uphold proper intestinal balance and metabolite production. Moreover, probiotics were able to support tight junction functionality and maintain gut homeostasis, highlighting their potential for preserving intestinal integrity.
Analysis of BPH in vitro oxidative stress and inflammation
Researchers investigated the impact of B. longum BLG1 andB. psychraerophilum Q5 both individually and in combination, in an in vitro co-culture prostatic model of BPH under hyperplasia condition induced by dihydrotestosterone treatment. They found that the production of ROS and inflammatory cytokines was significantly reduced following treatment with both B. longum BLG1 andB. psychraerophilum Q5 strains. Specifically, the combined treatment demonstrated greater efficacy than individual treatments in mitigating oxidative stress and inflammation associated with BPH.
B. longum BLG1 and B. psychraerophilum Q5 mitigate in vitro hyperplasia
Dihydrotestosterone, generated by 5α-Reductase 2 from testosterone, increases androgen receptor (AR) activity, driving prostatic cell growth. Treatment with B. longum BLG1 and B. psychraerophilum Q5 significantly reduced 5α-reductase 2 levels, and combined treatment further amplified the effects. Under DHT-induced hyperplasia, prostate-specific antigen (PSA), a marker of prostate growth, increased by 76%. Researchers found that probiotic treatment led to a 75% reduction in PSA levels. These results demonstrated the synergistic effects of bacterial strains in the modulation of prostatic hyperplasia, indicating their potential as therapeutic agents for BPH management.
Impairment of BPH progression induced by B. longum BLG1 and B. psychraerophilum Q5
It is known that androgen receptor activity increases when serotonin levels are depleted in prostatic cells. In the BPH model, dihydrotestosterone treatment significantly reduced serotonin production. Since serotonin inhibits prostatic hyperplasia, researchers aimed to investigate the ability of probiotic strains in restoring serotonin levels. They found that B. longum BLG1 and B. psychraerophilum Q5 restored serotonin levels almost to control values. In particular, the combined treatment elevated serotonin levels more effectively than individual strains (88% and 87% increases, respectively). Additionally, cell proliferation was also effectively inhibited by the combination of B. longum BLG1 and B. psychaerophilum, suggesting the efficacy of the strains in containing cell growth, one of the primary issues associated with BPH.
Although further in vivo investigation may be needed, the present study highlights the potential of the novel probiotic supplementation for use in BPH management.
Content sponsored by Probionova
