Bifidobacterium lactis HN019 and inflammation markers in people with metabolic syndrome
What it found
In 33 people, drinking probiotic milk with Bifidobacterium lactis HN019 for 90 days lowered an inflammation marker and a stress marker in the blood.
People with metabolic syndrome also saw rises in two other blood measures.
What they found
Studies in people
Lower inflammation in both groups
After 90 days, levels of IL-6, a protein linked to inflammation, fell in both groups compared to their starting values. Homocysteine, another blood measure, also dropped in everyone.
Less oxidative stress overall
Hydroperoxides, which are markers of cell stress, went down in all 33 participants over the 90 days.
Adiponectin rose in MetS group
Only the 19 people with metabolic syndrome saw a rise in adiponectin, a protein made by fat tissue that helps control blood sugar and inflammation.
Nitric oxide metabolites increased
The group with metabolic syndrome also showed higher levels of nitric oxide metabolites after 90 days. These molecules help blood vessels work properly.
Antioxidant defences in healthy group
Only the 14 people without metabolic syndrome showed a rise in a measure of overall antioxidant defences in their blood.
What the authors conclude
- They say Bifidobacterium lactis HN019 improved several inflammation and stress markers in both healthy people and those with metabolic syndrome.
- They note that people with metabolic syndrome specifically gained higher adiponectin and nitric oxide metabolite levels, while healthy people gained better antioxidant defences.
- They advise that adding probiotics to fermented milk should be discussed further if these results are confirmed by other studies.
How it was done
Metabolic syndrome is linked to heart disease and type 2 diabetes, and gut bacteria may play a role. The authors wanted to see if this specific probiotic strain could change inflammation and cell stress markers in people with and without the condition.
They gave 33 adults aged 18 to 60 a daily 80 ml bottle of fermented milk containing Bifidobacterium lactis HN019 for 90 days. Nineteen had metabolic syndrome and fourteen did not. Blood tests were taken before and after the 90 days.
What it can’t tell you
- This study had only 33 people, so the results might not apply to everyone.
- Because there was no group drinking plain milk without the probiotic, it is hard to know if the changes came from the bacteria or the milk itself.
- The study measured blood markers rather than actual diseases, so it cannot show whether taking this probiotic prevents heart problems or diabetes.
The paper
- Title
- Effect of Bifidobacterium lactis HN019 on inflammatory markers and oxidative stress in subjects with and without the metabolic syndrome
- Type
- Study
- Evidence
- Studies in people
- Summarised from
- Full text
- Cite
- Bernini LJ, Simão ANC, de Souza CHB, et al (2018). Effect of Bifidobacterium lactis HN019 on inflammatory markers and oxidative stress in subjects with and without the metabolic syndrome. The British journal of nutrition. doi:10.1017/S0007114518001861Free full textPubMed 30058513DOI
Summary written 30 Sep 2026. Check it against the paper before it changes what you eat. How we summarise papers · Report an error