Probiotic Supplementation Can Alter Inflammation Parameters and Self-Reported Sleep After a Marathon: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study.

In the Placebo group, marathon running worsened multiple sleep parameters 24 hours post-race.

• Daytime sleepiness, sleep latency, and global sleep score all increased 24 hours after the marathon in the Placebo group.
• Total sleep time and sleep efficiency decreased 24 hours after the marathon in the Placebo group.
• The Placebo group received 5 g/day maltodextrin for 30 days prior to the marathon.
• Sleep status was assessed before supplementation (Basal), before the marathon, and 1 h and 24 h after the marathon.

Probiotic supplementation attenuated post-marathon sleep deterioration compared to placebo.

• Daytime sleepiness, sleep latency, and global sleep scores were lower 24 hours after the marathon in the Probiotic group compared to the Placebo group.
• Total sleep time and sleep efficiency were higher in the Probiotic group compared to the Placebo group 24 hours after the marathon.
• The Probiotic group consumed 1 × 10^10 CFU of Lactobacillus acidophilus and 1 × 10^10 CFU of Bifidobacterium lactis plus 5 g/day maltodextrin for 30 days prior to the marathon.
• The study was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled design with 14 participants in the Probiotic group and 13 in the Placebo group.
• Statistical analysis used two-way ANOVA with repeated measures followed by Tukey's post hoc test with significance set at p ≤ 0.05.

IL-1β and TNF-α concentrations decreased compared to Basal in both groups.

• Both the Probiotic and Placebo groups showed reductions in IL-1β and TNF-α relative to Basal levels.
• IL-1β levels were lower 24 hours after treatment compared to pre-treatment specifically in the Placebo group.
• There was no statistically significant difference in cytokine concentrations between the Probiotic and Placebo groups.

IL-6 concentrations were lower 24 hours after the marathon in both groups.

• Both the Probiotic and Placebo groups exhibited reduced IL-6 levels 24 hours after the marathon.
• No significant between-group difference in IL-6 was reported.
• Inflammatory markers were assessed before supplementation, before the marathon, and 1 h and 24 h after the marathon.

LPS concentrations were reduced 1 hour and 24 hours after the marathon in the Probiotic group compared to the Basal timepoint.

• LPS concentrations were lower at both 1 h and 24 h post-marathon in the Probiotic group compared to Basal.
• No statistically significant difference in LPS concentrations was found between the Probiotic and Placebo groups.
• The reduction in LPS in the Probiotic group was noted as a within-group change relative to Basal, not a between-group difference.

The study enrolled 27 male marathon runners using a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled design with supplementation for 30 days prior to a marathon.

• Participants were divided into a Probiotic group (n = 14) and a Placebo group (n = 13).
• The Probiotic group consumed 1 × 10^10 CFU Lactobacillus acidophilus and 1 × 10^10 CFU Bifidobacterium lactis plus 5 g/day maltodextrin daily for 30 days.
• The Placebo group received a sachet of 5 g/day maltodextrin for the same period.
• Sleep quality, daytime sleepiness, and inflammatory profile were assessed at four timepoints: before supplementation (Basal), before the marathon, and 1 h and 24 h after the marathon.