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Intestinal Transit a double-blind, randomized, controlled study Gastroenterology Department, European Hospital Georges Pompidou, Paris, France. philippe.marteau@egp.ap-hop-paris.fr BACKGROUND: A previous study has suggested that Bifidobacterium animalis DN-173 010 shortens the colonic transit time in women. AIM: To confirm this effect and to determine whether modifications of the faecal bacterial mass and/or faecal secondary bile salts may be the explanation. METHODS: A double-blind, cross-over study was performed. Thirty-six healthy women were studied in four consecutive 10-day periods. During periods 2 and 4, they ingested three 125 g cups per day of a fermented milk which was either a product containing B. animalis DN-173 010 or a control without bifidobacteria. Periods 1 and 3 were run-in and washout periods, respectively. The total and segmental colonic transit times were assessed using a pellet method. In 12 subjects, all stools were collected and analysed for pH, faecal weight, bacterial mass and bile acids. RESULTS: The total and sigmoid transit times were significantly shorter during dosing with B. animalis compared to the control period. The other transit times, faecal weight, pH, bacterial mass and bile acids were not significantly affected. CONCLUSIONS: B. animalis DN-173 010 shortens the colonic transit time in healthy women. This effect is not explained by modifications of the faecal bacterial mass or secondary bile acids. Return Fermented milk products containing the probiotic strain Bifidobacterium Animalis DN-173 010 (BM) have a beneficial effect in reducing gut transit times in a range of populations including adults and the elderly, especially female. The aims of this study were to investigate the efficacy of one and two servings per day of BM in elderly subjects and to determine the duration of the reduction in transit times after stopping consumption of the product. This was a randomized controlled and open study with four groups; 200 elderly subjects (aged 50-75 years) were enrolled in the trial. In all, 100 subjects with medium transit times (MTT, 40-50 h) and 100 with slow transit times (STT, >50 h) were randomized to receive either 125 g or 250 g BM daily for 2 weeks. Oro-faecal gut transit was determined by the use of coloured markers. Both dosages significantly reduced oro-faecal transit time with reductions of 20.5% and 42.2% observed in MTT subjects receiving BM 125 g/day and 250 g/day, respectively (p<0.0001). Corresponding reductions in STT subjects were 27.7% and 38.1%, respectively. The beneficial effects of BM lasted long after consumption of the product was stopped, with values returning to baseline in subjects with MTT at 6 weeks follow-up and in STT subjects consuming 125 g/day BM at 4 weeks follow-up. Significant differences in transit times were still observed at week 6 of follow-up in STT subjects receiving 250 g/day BM. This study completes and confirms the dose-dependent effects of BM from 0 to 250 g per day and can be compared with similar results obtained with 250 to 375g per day in a previous study on transit times in elderly subjects. It also demonstrates that there are significant beneficial effects long after consumption of the product has stopped. The results suggest an important role for this probiotic dairy product in fundamentally modulating gastrointestinal function that could beneficially affect the host, and hence reduce the susceptibility to conditions associated with delayed gut transit. Return Dept Intervention Studies, German Inst of Human Nutrition Potsdam-Rehbruecke, D-14558 Nuthetal, Germany. Background: the aim of the study was to investigate the effect of a symbiotic on gut microbiota and bowel habits. Methods: a double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized crossover study was conducted in healthy elderly people (n= 49; mean age 70 +/- 4 years) over a total of sixteen weeks divided into periods of 4 weeks each, (1) run-in, (2) first intervention, (3) wash-out, and (4) second intervention. During the intervention periods study participants consumed daily sachets either containing the symbiotic or a placebo. The symbiotic contained bifidobacterium animalis and inulin. During the whole study subjects regularly completed questionnaires on bowel habits, well-being, gastrointestinal quality of life and underwent a medical examination. At the end of each intervention period the volunteers reported their dietary intake using a 4-day food record and provided a fresh faecal sample for the analysis of microbial and other parameters. Results: the habitual dietary intake remained constant over the entire period of investigation. The consumption of the symbiotic resulted in a significant increase of stool frequency compared to the placebo period (8.8 vs. 8.1 stools per week; p < 0.05). Among other gastrointestinal symptoms, e.g. Bloating, flatulence, no differences between the treatment and placebo periods could be found. For several parameters of well-being a significant positive influence of the symbiotic treatment could be demonstrated. The characterization of the microbial composition using fluorescence in-situ hybridization and enzymatic analyses are in progress. Conclusion: the administration of a symbiotic consisting of bifidobacterium animalis and inulin improves well-being and gastrointestinal quality of life in elderly subjects. Return 
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