Evaluation of hemorheological risk factor profile in plasmacytoma patients

The hemorheological parameters, plasma viscosity, hematocrit, erythrocyte aggregation and deformability of blood samples obtained from plasmacytoma patients are measured by capillary viscometer, microcentrifuge, Myrenne aggregometer, and filtrometer, respectively. These parameters are significantly altered in patients compared to those of normal subjects. The plasma viscosity and erythrocyte aggregation are increased, whereas erythrocyte deformability and hematocrit are decreased. Based on these parameters the hemorheological risk factor profiles are developed and by their overall risk factors, the patients with low and high risk factors are identified.     

Effects of moderate beer consumption on blood lipid profile in healthy Spanish adults

Background and aimsTo analyse the association of moderate beer consumption on the blood lipid profile in healthy Spanish adults.Methods and resultsThe study had an intervention longitudinal design in which each subject established their own control with a previous wash-out phase. After a 30-day alcohol abstinence period, 57 healthy volunteers were submitted to a daily moderate intake of beer for 30 days. Serum total cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, triacylglycerols, GOT, GPT, GGT and glucose values, as well as blood erythrocytes, haemoglobin, haematocrit and MCV levels, together with anthropometric parameters were determined at the beginning of the study (baseline levels) (a), after 1 month of alcoholic abstinence (b) and after 1 month of moderate beer consumption (c). Dietary intake was assessed twice by a 7-day dietary record.HDL-cholesterol, erythrocytes, haematocrit and MCV levels increased significantly (p < 0.05) after moderate beer consumption in women. In men, a decrease in HDL-cholesterol levels was observed after alcohol abstention. Haematocrit and MCV counts also increased significantly (p < 0.05) in men after moderate beer consumption. There were no dietary changes during the study.ConclusionIn healthy Spanish adults, the effects of moderate beer consumption during 1 month were associated with favourable changes on the blood lipid profile.     

Metabolite profile comparisons between ascending and descending colon tissue in healthy adults

BACKGROUND Obesity is a risk factor for colorectal cancer,yet metabolic distinctions between healthy right and left colon tissue,before cancer is diagnosed,remains largely unknown.This study compared right-ascending and left-descending colon tissue metabolomes to identify differences from the stool metabolome in normal weight,overweight,and obese adults.AIM To examine right and left colon tissue metabolites according to body mass index that may serve as mechanistic targets for interventions and biomarkers for colon cancer risk.METHODS Global,non-targeted metabolomics was applied to assess right-ascending and left-descending colon tissue collected from healthy adults undergoing screening colonoscopies to test the hypothesis that BMI differentially impacts colon tissue metabolite profiles.The colon tissue and stool metabolome of healthy adults(n=24)was analyzed for metabolite signatures and metabolic pathway networks implicated in progression of colorectal cancer.RESULTS Ascending and descending colon contained 504 host,food,and microbiotaderived metabolites from normal weight,overweight and obese adults grouped according to body mass index.Amino acids,lipids,and nucleotides were among the chemical types that further differentiated from the stool metabolite profiles.Normal weight adults had 46 significantly different metabolites between ascending and descending colon tissue locations,whereas there were 37 metabolite differences in overweight and 28 metabolite differences for obese adults(P<0.05).Obese adults had trimethylamine N-oxide,endocannabinoids and monoacylglycerols with different relative abundances identified between ascending and descending colon.Primary and secondary bile acids,vitamins,and fatty acids also showed marked relative abundance differences in colon tissue from overweight/obese adults.CONCLUSION There were metabolite profile differences between right-ascending and leftdescending colon tissue in healthy adults.Colon lipids and other metabolites in obese and overweight adults were distinguished from normal weight participants and associated with gut inflammation,nutrient absorption,and products of microbiota metabolism.     

Correlations of C-reactive protein levels with anthropometric profile,percentage of body fat and lipids in healthy adolescents and young adults in urban North India

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relationships of sub-clinical inflammation and regional and generalized obesity and lipids in adolescent and young adult Asian Indians in north India. METHODS: We determined serum levels of C-reactive protein (CRP), a marker for sub-clinical inflammation, body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), waist-to-hip ratio (W-HR), four skinfolds (biceps, triceps, subscapular and suprailiac), percentage of body fat (% BF) and lipid profile in 377 healthy adolescents and young adults (331 males and 46 females, age range: 14-25 years). RESULTS: Overweight subjects (BMI>85th percentile), and subjects with high values (>85th percentile) of WC and triceps skinfold thickness had significantly higher median CRP levels (P=0.04, P=0.001 and P=0.007, respectively) as compared with subjects with lower values of the variables. Elevated levels of CRP (>2.1 mg/l) were observed in 21.8% of the overweight subjects and 24.5% of the subjects with high (>85th percentile) % BF. After adjusting for age and gender, the odds ratios (95% CI) for elevated levels of CRP were 2.3 (1.1-4.7, P=0.02) for overweight subjects, 2.6 (1.2-5.4, P=0.01) for subjects with high % BF, and 3.7 (1.7-7.9, P=0.001) for subjects with high triceps skinfold thickness. Levels of CRP correlated significantly with % BF (r=0.13, P=0.009), W-HR (r=0.11, P=0.02), biceps skinfolds (r=0.13, P=0.01) and triceps skinfolds (r=0.13, P=0.01) for males only. CONCLUSIONS: The observations of substantial prevalence of elevated CRP levels in adolescents and young adults having increased generalized and abdominal adiposity may be important for the development of metabolic syndrome and atherosclerosis in Asian Indian adults.     

Influence of puberty on lipids and lipoprotein profile in children with type 1 diabetes mellitus

In order to assess whether or not the lipoprotein profile worsens throughout puberty in children with type 1 diabetes mellitus and if this change is related to dietary compliance, we studied 46 (20 female, 26 male) children. At the beginning of the study, the mean age (±SD) was 10.9±1.1 years; all the children studied had reached a pubertal stage of P1, G1. The mean duration of diabetes (±SD) was 4.9±1.8 years. The diet and the lipoprotein profile of diabetic children were analysed at the beginning of the study and after 6 years. The quality of metabolic control of subjects studied had not changed significantly at the end of the study (haemoglobin HbA_1c 7.6%±2.1% vs 7.9%±2.0%; NS). After puberty, the diabetic patients received more energy from carbohydrate and less from lipids. Total serum cholesterol and triglycerides and levels of low-density lipoproteins were significantly higher and of high-density lipoproteins lower in the diabetic patients after puberty than before (4.47±0.7 mmol/l vs 5.99±0.6,P<0.01; 0.90±0.02 mmol/l vs 1.45±0.03,P<0.01; 2.2±0.3 mmol/l vs 2.8±0.5,P<0.01; 1.5±0.2 vs 1.1±0.2,P<0.01, respectively). These results suggest a detrimental effect of puberty on lipoproteins; probably, dietary compliance plays a role in this worsening. Dietary education should be intensified during adolescence in order to present these changes.     

Influence of adiposity on tonic sympathetic support of resting metabolism in healthy adults

BACKGROUND: beta-Adrenergic receptor sympathetic nervous system (beta-AR SNS) support of resting metabolic rate (RMR) is attenuated with older age, female sex, and a sedentary lifestyle. Total and abdominal adiposity and/or body fat pattern modulate some SNS-mediated physiological functions. OBJECTIVE: To determine if total and abdominal adiposity and/or body fat distribution are independently related to SNS support of RMR. DESIGN: Cross-sectional comparison of beta-AR SNS support of RMR. SUBJECTS: A total of 54 healthy male and female subjects aged 18-75 y. MEASUREMENTS: RMR (ventilated hood, indirect calorimetry) before (baseline) and during complete beta-AR blockade; body composition by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry. RESULTS: Forward stepwise multiple regression analysis using sex, exercise status, age group, %body fat, total adiposity, abdominal adiposity, and the ratio of abdominal adiposity to hip adiposity as variables revealed sex to be the strongest predictor, explaining 21% of the variability in beta-AR SNS support of RMR (P=0.0006). Age group explained an additional 4% and exercise status a further 4% (both P=0.10). %Body fat, total adiposity, abdominal adiposity, and the ratio of abdominal adiposity to hip adiposity did not enter the equation. CONCLUSION: Total and abdominal adiposity and body fat pattern are not independent physiological determinants of beta-AR SNS support of RMR among healthy men and women. Moreover, further support is provided for our previous finding of attenuated beta-AR SNS support of RMR with age, female sex, and sedentary lifestyle.     

Influence of bezafibrate on plasma lipoproteins, biliary lipids and fecal sterols in healthy men

The effect of a 4-week treatment with 600 mg/day of bezafibrate in addition to a low-cholesterol, fat-modified diet on plasma lipids and lipoproteins and on biliary lipids and fecal sterols was investigated in 12 healthy men aged 25-39, and compared to the effect of the diet plus placebo, using a double-blind crossover design. The comparison of placebo and treatment values indicated that bezafibrate, beyond the effect of the diet, significantly lowered concentrations of circulating triglycerides (-25.5%), total cholesterol (-25.8%), LDL cholesterol (-19.5%), and apolipoprotein B (-19.9%), and increased apolipoprotein A-II concentrations in serum (+15.0%). There was a tendency towards lower biliary bile acid and cholesterol secretion rates with bezafibrate; lithogenic indices in fasting and stimulated bile were similar with the drug and placebo. Fecal bile acid excretion rate with diet plus bezafibrate was significantly less than with diet plus placebo. The data obtained are in accord with the hypothesis that bezafibrate exerts its effects on cholesterol and bile acid metabolism predominantly by decreasing VLDL secretion, possibly through an enhancement of fatty acid beta-oxidation in the liver.     

Association between habitual dietary intake and lipoprotein subclass profile in healthy young adults

Background and aimsNutritional epidemiology is increasingly shifting its focus from studying single nutrients to the exploration of the whole diet utilizing dietary pattern analysis. We analyzed associations between habitual diet (including macronutrients, dietary patterns, biomarker of fish intake) and lipoprotein particle subclass profile in young adults.Methods and resultsComplete dietary data (food-frequency questionnaire) and lipoprotein subclass profile (via nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy) were available for 663 subjects from the population-based FinnTwin12 study (57% women, age: 21–25 y). The serum docosahexaenoic to total fatty acid ratio was used as a biomarker of habitual fish consumption. Factor analysis identified 5 dietary patterns: “Fruit and vegetables”, “Meat”, “Sweets and desserts”, “Junk food” and “Fish”. After adjustment for sex, age, body mass index, waist circumference, physical activity, smoking status and alcohol intake, the “Junk food” pattern was positively related to serum triglycerides (r = 0.12, P = 0.002), a shift in the subclass distribution of VLDL toward larger particles (r = 0.12 for VLDL size, P < 0.001) and LDL toward smaller particles (r = ?0.15 for LDL size, P < 0.001). In addition, higher scores on this pattern were positively correlated with concentrations of small, dense HDL (r = 0.16, P < 0.001). Habitual fish intake associated negatively with VLDL particle diameter (“Fish” pattern and biomarker) and positively with HDL particle diameter (biomarker).ConclusionsOur results suggest that in young adults, higher habitual fish consumption is related to favorable subclass distributions of VLDL and HDL, while junk food intake is associated with unfavorable alterations in the distribution of all lipoprotein subclasses independent of adiposity and other lifestyle factors.     

Influence of age and normal plasma fibrinogen levels on flow-mediated dilation in healthy adults

This study examined the effects of age-associated increases in fibrinogen on brachial artery flow-mediated dilation in 30 healthy nonsmokers. The findings demonstrate an inverse association between normal plasma fibrinogen levels and vascular function (r = -0.56, p = 0.001), suggesting elevated plasma fibrinogen may decrease the artery's responsiveness to certain vasodilatory signals, such as shear stress.     

The inter-relationship of factor VII and its activity state with plasma lipids in healthy male adults

Summary A close inter-relationship between raised factor VII clotting activity and elevated blood lipids, particularly serum triglycerides, is well established. A study of factor VII, its activation state and of plasma lipids has been undertaken in two groups of healthy middle-aged males to elucidate this mechanism. A control group with normal factor VII levels were closely matched for age and body-mass index with a second group with elevated levels. Factor VII assays, using rabbit and bovine thromboplastin and a factor VII Ag method, were employed. Triglycerides correlated with the rabbit factor VII thromboplastin assay and factor VII Ag ( P <0.05) but not with the bovine thromboplastin method. Higher HDL-cholesterol and apolipoprotein A-I levels were found in subjects with increased factor VII ( P <0.001) and appeared to be due to differences in alcohol consumption. Cholesterol levels were significantly higher with elevated factor VII. Differential testing suggests that higher factor VII is predominantly mediated through a rise in total VII, rather than an increase in its activity state.     

The effect of simvastatin therapy on hemorheological profile in coronary heart desease (CHD) patients

This study was designed to examine changes of hemorheological parameters in patients with CHD and hypercholesterolaemia (wide range of plasma total cholesterol level from 5.6 to 9.8 mmol.l-1) subjected to lipid lowering therapy with statins (simvastatin, 10.0-20.0 mg/day, dosage was dependent on an initial level of total cholesterol). Twenty female subjects were enrolled in this research program. Both prior to and following drug treatment for eight weeks, hemorheological measurements included plasma viscosity, high and low shear whole blood viscosity, hematocrit, RBC aggregation and rigidity. Treatment with simvastatin significantly (p<0.05) reduced total cholesterol, total triglycerides and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C). However, the hemorheological effects of lipid lowering therapy differed markedly between macro- and microrheological groups of parameters: plasma and whole blood viscosity were not significantly changed whereas RBC aggregation and its rigidity were decreased significantly after statin treatment. These results thus suggest that the rheologic effect of lipid lowering therapy concerned mainly the microrheological parameters: red cell aggregation and deformability.     

Influence of daily consumption of probiotic and conventional yoghurt on the plasma lipid profile in young healthy women

BACKGROUND: A number of studies have found conflicting results concerning the modulation of plasma lipids induced by probiotics. Therefore, the aim of this study was to verify and compare the effects of probiotic and conventional yoghurt on the plasma lipid profile of normocholesterolemic women. METHODS: In this study, female volunteers consumed 100 g/day of probiotic (n = 17) or conventional yoghurt (n = 16) for 2 weeks (T1-T2) and 200 g/day for further 2 weeks (T2-T3). A washout phase lasting 2 weeks followed (T4). Total and HDL cholesterol and triglycerides were determined by enzymatic methods; LDL cholesterol was calculated using the Friedewald formula. RESULTS: The average concentration of total cholesterol was consistent throughout the whole study in the control group, but decreased significantly (p < 0.01) in the probiotic group consuming 200 g yoghurt/day (T2-T3). During the period of daily yoghurt intake (T1-T3) the mean HDL cholesterol level increased significantly (p < 0.05) in the probiotic group, resulting in a significant (p < 0.05) improvement of the total/HDL cholesterol ratio. The significant (p < 0.01) reduction of the average plasma LDL cholesterol values found in this period (T1-T3) in the probiotic and the control groups was associated with a significant (p < 0.05) improvement of the LDL/HDL cholesterol ratios in both tested groups. CONCLUSION: Although several lipid parameters changed during the study in both the probiotic and the control group, no significant differences between the groups were observed. Therefore, it can be concluded that the regular consumption of both probiotic and conventional yoghurt for 4 weeks had a positive effect on the lipid profile in plasma of healthy women.     

Visceral/epicardial adiposity in nonobese and apparently healthy young adults: Association with the cardiometabolic profile

Objective

We investigate associations of regional adipose tissues with cardiometabolic profile of nonobese and apparently healthy young adults.

Methods

Four hundred twenty-five nonobese and apparently healthy individuals were assessed for blood pressure and fasting lipid profile, blood glucose and adiponectin. Subcutaneous abdominal adipose tissue (SAT) and ectopic fat depots (visceral abdominal adipose tissue [VAT], epicardial adipose tissue [EAT] and hepatic fat fraction [HFF]) were quantified by magnetic resonance imaging.

Results

According to anthropometric measurements, blood pressure and blood markers, the population (18–35 years, 54% women) had a low cardiometabolic risk. Compared to women, men had more VAT, EAT and HFF, but less SAT. Regional adipose tissues were positively correlated with each other. VAT and EAT carried significant correlations with all markers of cardiometabolic risk, while SAT and HFF correlated variably with these markers. While taking into account age and gender, SAT, VAT and EAT were associated with most cardiometabolic markers, while HFF was only associated with total cholesterol/high-density lipoprotein ratio (TC/HDL-C) and triglycerides (TG). When comparing SAT, VAT and EAT head-to-head, VAT was the only adipose tissue location maintaining significant association with most markers of cardiometabolic risk. Greater VAT (≥50th percentile) was associated with a worse cardiometabolic profile, whether individuals were overweight or normal weight.

Conclusion

Even in nonobese and apparently healthy young women and men, accumulation of ectopic visceral adiposity in general, and of VAT in particular, is associated with a worse cardiometabolic profile whether individuals were overweight or normal weight.     

Influence of beta2-adrenergic receptor genotype on airway function during exercise in healthy adults

BACKGROUND: In humans, beta(2)-adrenergic receptors (beta(2)ARs) influence airway tone. There are known functional polymorphisms of the beta(2)AR, such as substitution of glycine for arginine at codon 16. We sought to determine if this variation in genotype differentially influences airway function during exercise. METHODS: Healthy subjects without asthma who were either homozygous for Arg16 (n = 16; mean age, 29 +/- 2 years [+/- SD]; mean maximum oxygen uptake [Vo(2)], 32 +/- 2 mL/kg/min) or the Gly16 allele (n = 26; mean age, 30 +/- 1 years; mean maximum Vo(2), 33 +/- 1 mL/kg/min) participated in the study. Baseline testing included spirometry and maximal symptom-limited exercise. On a separate day, an arterial cannula was placed to measure catecholamine levels. Subjects then performed exercise at two work levels (40% and 75% of peak work) for 9 min each and performed spirometry at 3-min intervals for assessment of airway function. RESULTS: There were no statistically significant differences between groups in maximum Vo(2) or baseline spirometry (p > 0.05). With both light and heavy exercise, the groups had similar increases in the forced expiratory flow at 50% of vital capacity (FEF(50)). FEF(50) increased by 14 +/- 4% and 15 +/- 3% in arginine and glycine groups, respectively, by end exercise (p > 0.05). During recovery (5 min and 10 min after), the Gly16 homozygotes demonstrated persistent bronchodilation (10 min after FEF(50) = + 7 +/- 2% over pre-exercise) while the Arg16 subjects had a rapid return to baseline (10 min after FEF(50) = - 3 +/- 3%, p = 0.007 between groups). No differences were observed in the catecholamine responses between genotypes, although the increase in epinephrine in the arginine group tended to be higher (p = 0.07). CONCLUSIONS: These data suggest that the Arg16Gly polymorphism of the beta(2)AR does not influence airway function during short-duration low- and high-intensity exercise. However, during recovery, the Arg16 genotype is associated with a reduced bronchodilation, possibly due to increased catecholamine desensitization.     

Influence of lower extremity strength of healthy older adults on the outcome of an induced trip

OBJECTIVES: To determine whether decreased lower extremity strength contributes to trip-related falls in older adults. DESIGN: A cross-sectional sample of older adults were safety-harnessed and tripped while walking using a concealed, mechanical obstacle. Lower extremity strength was compared between trip outcome groups. SETTING: A biomechanics research laboratory. PARTICIPANTS: Seventy-nine healthy, community-dwelling adults aged 65 and older (50 women). MEASUREMENTS: Ankle, knee, and hip flexion and extension strength were measured isometrically and isokinetically. Measured strengths were subjected to a factor analysis. Strength factor scores were compared between those who recovered from the trip and those who fell by three previously identified mechanisms: during-step, after-step, and elevating-response falls. RESULTS: Seven common factors, one associated with each direction of exertion at each joint and one with the time rate of moment increase, explained 88% of the variance in measured strength. The during-step (n=5) fallers were significantly stronger in the ankle extension (plantarflexion), knee flexion, overall extension, and total strength factors than those who successfully recovered using a similar, lowering strategy (n=26). The elevating-response faller (n=1) was stronger in the plantarflexion and overall extension factors than most of those who recovered using a similar, elevating strategy (n=11). Two of three after-step fallers were among the weakest subjects tested. CONCLUSION: Weak older adults and the strongest older adults may be at greater risk of falling from a trip, although by different mechanisms. High strength may increase the likelihood of a during-step or elevating-response fall; decreased strength may increase the likelihood of an after-step fall.     

The effects of daily consumption of grapefruit on body weight, lipids, and blood pressure in healthy, overweight adults

Folklore has suggested that consuming grapefruit may promote weight control. Sparse data exist to support this hypothesis, although there is some evidence of health promotion effects with regard to blood pressure control and modulation of circulating lipids. The aim of this randomized controlled trial was to prospectively evaluate the role of grapefruit in reducing body weight and blood pressure and in promoting improvements in the lipid profile in overweight adults (N = 74). Following a 3-week washout diet low in bioactive-rich fruits and vegetables, participants were randomized to either the control diet (n = 32) or daily grapefruit (n = 42) in the amount of one half of a fresh Rio-Red grapefruit with each meal (3× daily) for 6 weeks. No differences between group in weight, blood pressure, or lipids were demonstrated. Grapefruit consumption was associated with modest weight loss (-0.61 ± 2.23 kg, P = .097), a significant reduction in waist circumference (-2.45 ± 0.60 cm, P = .0002), and a significant reduction in systolic blood pressure (-3.21 ± 10.13 mm Hg, P = .03) compared with baseline values. Improvements were observed in circulating lipids of those consuming grapefruit, with total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein significantly decreasing by -11.7 mg/dL (P = .002) and -18.7 mg/dL (P < .001), respectively, compared with baseline values. This study suggests that consumption of grapefruit daily for 6 weeks does not significantly decrease body weight, lipids, or blood pressure as compared with the control condition. However, the improvements in blood pressure and lipids demonstrated in the intervention group suggest that grapefruit should be further evaluated in the context of obesity and cardiovascular disease prevention.     

Blood lipids in a healthy Karachi population

Serum levels for cholesterol and triglycerides were estimated in an apparently normal healthy population of Karachi, aged between 4 and 59 years. In total, there were 632 subjects, 322 males and 310 females. Hypercholesterolemia was defined as a cholesterol level greater than 6.2 mmol l-1 (240 mg dl-1) in subjects above 20 years of age. In the age groups 20-39 and 40-59 years hypercholesterolemia was present in 26-41% of the males and 10-38% of the females. When triglyceride levels of more than 2.8 mmol l-1 (250 mg dl-1) were taken as abnormal for healthy males and females, 0-2% of the females and 10-25% of the males above 20 years of age were hypertriglyceridemic. The mean cholesterol levels in the age groups 4-9 and 10-19 years varied from 4.4 to 4.9 mmol l-1 (169.8 to 189.1 mg dl-1).     

Impact of the habitual physical activity on lipid profile in adults

The present study was designed to analyze the impact of the habitual physical activity determined by International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) on lipid profile in representative sample of adults. A sample of 361 subjects (196 women and 165 men) aged 20-60 years old was included in the study. Plasma lipid concentrations were measured by standard procedures. The results showed that HDL-cholesterol and VLDL-cholesterol levels were not significantly different across physical activity groups in both sexes. Total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol and triglycerides were significantly different across physical activity groups in women and men, but the pattern of variation was different between genders. The results from logistic regression analysis indicated that the odds ratios for low plasma lipid levels was significant only in subjects classified as very active compared with sedentary. In conclusion, the results suggest that increased habitual physical activity determined by IPAQ present significant impact in the plasma lipid profile in adults of both sexes, independently of the age and of the variations of the body weight.     

Gut microbiota profile in healthy Indonesians

BACKGROUND Recently, gut microbiota has been associated with various diseases other than intestinal disease. Thus, there has been rapid growth in the study of gut microbiota. Considering the numerous factors influencing gut microbiota such as age, diet, etc., area-based research is required. Indonesia has numerous different tribes and each of these tribes have different lifestyles. Hence, it is expected that each tribe has a specific gut microbiota. A deeper insight into the composition of gut microbiota can be used to determine the condition of gut microbiota in Indonesians and to consider which treatment may be suitable and effective to improve health status.AIM To investigate the gut microbiota of Indonesian subjects represented by Javanese and Balinese tribes by analyzing fecal samples.METHODS Fecal samples were collected from a total of 80 individuals with 20 in each of the young groups ranging from 25-45 years and the elderly group aged 70 years or more from two different regions, Yogyakarta and Bali. Fecal sample collection was performed at the end of the assessment period(day 14 ± 1 d) during which time the subjects were not allowed to consume probiotic or antibiotic products.The quantification of various Clostridium subgroups, Lactobacillus subgroups,Enterococcus, Streptococcus, Staphylococcus, Bacteroides fragilis group and Prevotella,Bifidobacterium and Atopobium cluster, Enterobacteriaceae and Pseudomonas was performed using the Yakult intestinal flora-scan(YIF-SCAN).RESULTS The bacterial population in younger subjects' feces was higher than that in the elderly population, with a total of approximately 10.0 – 10.6 log10 bacterial cells/g feces. The most abundant bacteria in all groups were Clostridium, followed by Prevotella, Atopobium, Bifidobacterium and Bacteroides. In the elderly, an increase in Enterobacteriaceae, Coliform and Escherichia coli was found. In terms of bacterial counts in Yogyakarta, total bacteria, Clostridium coccoides(C. coccoides) group,Bifidobacterium, Prevotella, Lactobacillus plantarum subgroup, and Streptococcus were significantly higher(P < 0.05) in younger than elderly subjects, while the Lactobacillus gasseri subgroup, Lactobacillus casei subgroup, and Lactobacillus reuteri subgroup counts were significantly lower(P < 0.05) in younger subjects. In Balinese subjects, total bacteria, C. coccoides group, Clostridium leptum subgroup,Bacteroides fragilis group, and Prevotella were significantly higher(P < 0.05) in younger compared to elderly individuals, while the Lactobacillus ruminis subgroup, and Enterobacteriaceae were significantly lower(P < 0.05) in younger subjects. The results also revealed that, besides the C. coccoides group and Clostridium leptum group being the most abundant gut microbiota in both Yogyakarta and Balinese people, the latter was indicated by a higher Clostridium perfringens count, which was almost 10 times that of Yogyakarta subjects. This may be a response to different lifestyles in the different tribes; however, this phenomenon requires further extensive study.CONCLUSION Bacterial populations were higher in younger than in elderly subjects. Most abundant bacterial groups were Clostridium, Prevotella, Atopobium, Bifidobacterium,and Bacteroides. The level of Clostridium perfringens in Yogyakarta subjects was lower than that in Balinese subjects.