Influence of a drink containing different antioxidants and Lactobacillus plantarum 299v on plasma total antioxidant capacity, selenium status and faecal microbial flora

The aim of the study was to investigate whether a supplement of antioxidants to subjects with a high working pace can influence the antioxidant capacity. The study was parallel and double blind with 98 subjects randomised into two groups. One of the groups was given a test drink with antioxidants for 4 weeks (450 ml/day) while the other group took a corresponding amount of placebo drink. The test drink contained: 2 mg beta-carotene/100 ml, 40 mg alpha-tocopherol/100 ml, 80 mg ascorbic acid/100 ml, 2 mg pyridoxine/100 ml, 15 mg magnesium/100 ml, 0.2 mg manganese/100 ml, 1 mg zinc/100 ml, 0.1 mg copper/100 ml and 10 μg selenium/100 ml. Consumption of the test drink for 4 weeks increased the total plasma antioxidant capacity by 7% (ferric reducing ability of plasma method, P<0.05 compared with the placebo group), and the content of selenium and selenoprotein P in serum was raised by 16-17% (P<0.001 compared with the placebo group). No significant changes were found in the placebo group. The test drink also contained Lactobacillus plantarum 299v (5×107 cfu/ml) and 4 weeks' consumption led to a significant increase of Lb. plantarum 299v in the faeces. In conclusion, consumption of a drink rich in different antioxidants can increase the antioxidant capacity in subjects with a high working pace. This can be valuable since it may increase the protection against reactive oxygen radicals

Bioavailability of selenium from bovine milk as assessed in subjects with ileostomy

Objective: To assess the absorption of dietary selenium in humans, especially of milk selenium. Design: 1-day meal studies in subjects with ileostomy. Setting: Hospital outpatient clinics. Subjects: Three subjects in the pilot study and nine subjects in the main study ( eight men/four women). Intervention: Different beverages, 1 l/day, were given in addition to basal diets ( soft drink, 1 week; low-fat milk, 3 weeks; fermented low-fat milk, 3 weeks and soft drink, 1 week). Ileostomy effluents were collected during the last 2 days in each of the four periods. Results: On days when the subjects were given 1 l of low-fat milk, the estimated fractional absorption of total dietary selenium was 65.5 (2.3)% ( mean (s. d.), n = 18), which was similar to the value when fermented low-fat milk was given (64.1 (3.2)%). However, both the calculated amount of milk selenium absorbed (10.9 (2.4) vs 9.4 (1.7) mg selenium) and its fractional absorption (73.3 (16.1) vs 64.1 (11.2)%, n = 18) were significantly higher for milk than for fermented milk. Conclusions: Selenium from milk and other sources is well absorbed in subjects with ileostomy. The real absorption may be even higher than the values shown