Research & Development In Brief

PPIs linked to community-acquired pneumonia; Vitamin D deficiency linked to heart health; Lacidofil provides multiple benefits; more Research & Development In Brief.

PPIs linked to community-acquired pneumonia

The risk of contracting community-acquired pneumonia modestly increases with the use of proton pump inhibitors, a study in the journal Clinical Infectious Diseases concludes. Boston-area researchers led by John Hermos at Boston University School of Medicine found U.S. military veterans in a retrospective, nested case-control study were 30% more likely to suffer CAP if they currently use PPIs compared to past exposures. They also revealed a dose response with CAP cases occurring more often if more than one standard dose of PPI was consumed daily compared to doses smaller than standard. The length of exposure also influenced the risk with those in the short-term-use group more susceptible than those who took PPIs for more than 15 days.

The study of 1,544 cases and 15,440 controls, identified from the New England Veterans Healthcare System database, also uncovered higher risk among subjects with dementia and those who took sedatives or tranquilizers. The researchers hypothesized impaired swallowing and increased reflux of acid-suppressed content were to blame. They also explained the link between PPI use and CAP could be because gastric acid suppression facilitates bacterial colonization of the stomach and upper intestine, which could lead to pathogen colonization of the upper aerodigestive tract – lip and mouth tissues, tongue, nose, throat, vocal cords and portions of the esophagus and windpipe.

Vitamin D deficiency linked to heart health

Emerging research links vitamin D deficiency to increased risk of cardiovascular disease, but supplementation cannot be recommended as a treatment until additional research is conducted on the efficacy and role of vitamin D supplementation in heart health, according to researchers from Beaumont Hospital at the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland. In the Dec. 19 Annals of Internal Medicine, Cora McGreevy and David Williams reviewed literature and studies linking vitamin D deficiency and supplementation with heart health. They found experimental data link vitamin D deficiency of less than 37 nanomoles per liter to a 1.62 hazard ratio risk of heart events compared to those with higher vitamin D levels. They also found the rate of heart attacks and disease increased in countries farther from the equator, where sun exposure to synthesize vitamin D is highest.

They noted a cyclical correlation between heart disease and the seasons which aligns with the cyclical nature of vitamin D levels. They hypothesize vitamin D inhibits renin gene expression and plays a role in vascular function, including inflammation, smooth muscle growth and thrombosis. However, they note additional studies on the mechanism are necessary before making a recommendation of supplementation for improved heart health.

Lacidofil provides multiple benefits

The multi-strain probiotic Lacidofil boosts immune response and milk tolerance, improves intestinal health, alleviates atopic dermatitis and reduces the risk of maternal vaginal dysbacteriosis, according to a comprehensive review in the December issue of Beneficial Microbes journal. Researchers at the University of Florida and Institute Rosell reviewed all published studies on the Lactobacillus helveticus R0052 and Lactobacillus rhamnosus combination. Institute Rosell is part of Lallemand Inc., the Canadian ingredients firm that markets Lacidofil. The researchers found the probiotic combination, sold in capsules and sachets, lowers the incidence of antibiotic-associated diarrhea in children 1.5-fold, decreases duration two-fold and reduces Clostridium difficile bacteria in the intestines 84.5% with no reported side effects. It also eased chronic irritable bowel syndrome by reducing flatulence in 63% of patients and improving stool frequency and consistency in 84%.

The probiotic eased the clinical symptoms of atopic dermatis 63.3% in a treatment group compared to a control group most likely by modulating immune response through suppression of B7-2, the researchers note. Supplementation also helped 89.3% of new mothers on antibiotics after a Caesarean section attain balanced microdiomes, they add.

Vitamin D, cancer link insufficient

Evidence on the effect of vitamin D supplementation on cancer is mixed and insufficient, according to researchers who reviewed 19 randomized control trials and 28 observational trials. The meta-analysis in the Dec. 19 Annals of Internal Medicine revealed the risk of colorectal cancer fell 6% for each 10-nanomole-per-liter increase in vitamin D blood level concentration. However, the same concentration increase was not associated with the risk of developing prostate or breast cancer. The research on vitamin D and the prevention of those two cancers was insufficient or revealed nonlinear relationships, the researchers explained.

The researchers also looked at the impact of vitamin D on fracture and found the vitamin reduced fractures only when paired with calcium. They did not identify optimum dosing levels. They suggested future studies look at this while considering that supplementation could increase the risk of renal or urinary tract stones.