Short Term Effects of Probiotics in the Human Micro-vascular Physiology

Skin blood flow will be measured as cutaneous red blood cell flux using a Laser Doppler Flowmeter (LDF). Local thermal hyperaemia will be induced using a heating disc surrounding the probe. The probe will be attached to the skin using a double-sided adhesion sticker. Participants will be rested in a supine position in a temperature-controlled room with a constant ambient temperature of 24° C for 35 minutes. Baseline skin blood flow data will be recorded for 5 minutes with the local heating disc temperature set at 30° C. Following this, rapid local heating will be initiated to obtain maximal vasodilation and the temperature will be increased by 1° C every 10 seconds until 42° C was reached. This will then be maintained for 30 minutes following, which the test will be completed.

Skin blood flow will be measured as cutaneous red blood cell flux using a Laser Doppler Flowmeter (LDF). Local thermal hyperaemia will be induced using a heating disc surrounding the probe. The probe will be attached to the skin using a double-sided adhesion sticker. Participants will be rested in a supine position in a temperature-controlled room with a constant ambient temperature of 24° C for 35 minutes. Baseline skin blood flow data will be recorded for 5 minutes with the local heating disc temperature set at 30° C. Following this, rapid local heating will be initiated to obtain maximal vasodilation and the temperature will be increased by 1° C every 10 seconds until 42° C was reached. This will then be maintained for 30 minutes following, which the test will be completed.

Stature, waist and hip circumferences will be measured (all in cms).

Stature, waist and hip circumferences will be measured (all in cms).

Body mass will be measured.

Body mass will be measured.

The SF-IPAQ questionnaire will be completed, to assess physical activity levels.

A discontinuous, sub-maximal test, involving four rounds of exercise will measure the participants' transcutaneous oxygen pressure (TcPO2).TcPO2 values will be measured and recorded by a sensor. Measurements will be taken, using a TINA TCM400 TcPO2 device (Radiometer, Copenhagen, Denmark). The electrode will be placed on the participants' back, below the right scapula. The testing protocol includes a total of 20 min on a cycle ergometer (Monark894E, Vansbro, Sweden) with a 2-min break after each 5 min of exercise. Participants will maintain a speed of 80 revolutions per minute, and after each 5-min period, an extra 0.2 kg of resistance will be added to the ergometer, with a 1 kg of starting resistance value. Participants will be encouraged to reach their maximum exertion limit before completing the assessment but could stop before the end of the test if they feel so.

A discontinuous, sub-maximal test, involving four rounds of exercise will measure the participants' transcutaneous oxygen pressure (TcPO2).TcPO2 values will be measured and recorded by a sensor. Measurements will be taken, using a TINA TCM400 TcPO2 device (Radiometer, Copenhagen, Denmark). The electrode will be placed on the participants' back, below the right scapula. The testing protocol includes a total of 20 min on a cycle ergometer (Monark894E, Vansbro, Sweden) with a 2-min break after each 5 min of exercise. Participants will maintain a speed of 80 revolutions per minute, and after each 5-min period, an extra 0.2 kg of resistance will be added to the ergometer, with a 1 kg of starting resistance value. Participants will be encouraged to reach their maximum exertion limit before completing the assessment but could stop before the end of the test if they feel so.

Diastolic and systolic blood pressure will be recorded from the left arm at 5-minute intervals throughout the protocol (Dinamap Dash 2500, GE Healthcare, USA).

Diastolic and systolic blood pressure will be recorded from the left arm at 5-minute intervals throughout the protocol (Dinamap Dash 2500, GE Healthcare, USA).