Use of Lactobacillus salivarius

Abstract

Lactobacillus salivarius is useful in the prophylaxis or treatment of undesirable inflammatory activity, especially gastrointestinal inflammatory activity such as inflammatory bowel disease or irritable bowel syndrome. The inflammatory activity may also be due to cancer. The Lactobacillus salivarius is of human origin isolated from resected and washed human gastrointestinal tract. One such strain is UCC 118 described in WO-A-9835014.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to the use of strains of Lactobacillus salivarius.[0002] The defence mechanisms to protect the human gastrointestinal tract from colonisation by intestinal bacteria are highly complex and involve both immunological and non-immunological aspects (V. J. McCracken and H. R. Gaskins, `Probiotics a critical review`, Horizon Scientific Press, UK, 1999, p. 278.). Innate defence mechanisms include the low pH of the stomach, bile salts, peristalsis, mucin layers and anti-microbial compounds such as lysozyme (D. C. Savage, `Microbial Ecology of the Gut`, Academic Press, London, 1997, p.278.). Immunological mechanisms include specialised lymphoid aggregates, underlying M cells, called peyers patches which are distributed throughout the small intestine and colon (M. F. Kagnoff. Gastroenterol. 1993, 105, 1275). Luminal antigens presented at these sites result in stimulation of appropriate T and B cell subsets with establishment of cytokine networks and secretion of a...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0008] Lactobacillus salivarius is a commensal microorganism originally isolated from the microbial flora within the human gastrointestinal tract. The immune system within the gastrointestinal tract cannot have a pronounced reaction to members of this flora as the resulting inflammatory activity would also destroy host cells and tissue function. Therefore, some mechanism(s) exist whereby the immune system can recognise commensal non-pathogenic members of the gastrointestinal flora as being different to pathogenic organisms. This ensures that damage to host tissues is restricted and a defensive barrier is still maintained.

[0052] Thus, UCC118 survives passage through the gastrointestinal tract, modulates the gut flora and is perceived by the mucosal immune system. The influence of this probiotic bacteria in modulating inflammatory responses within the gastrointestinal tract was examined using a murine model of enterocolitis. In addition, we examined the role of Lactobacillus salivarius subsp. salivarius UCC118 in reducing the rate of neoplastic change within the gastrointestinal tract.

[0078] The immune system has a large repertoire of specificities expressed by B and T cells. Some of these specificities will be directed to self-components. Self-recognition is normally controlled by clonal deletion and inactivation of self-reactive lymphocytes. However, there is a constant background of autoimmunity with antibodies to many proteins being found in serum. A breakdown in the self-nonself recognition system results in autoimmunity. When autoimmune disease does occur, the resulting immune response damages the tissue bearing the offending antigen. Immune complex deposition, type II hypersensitivity and cell-mediated reactions are the most important mechanisms by which immunopathological damage occurs. Examples of autoimmune diseases include, but are not limited to, systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis, insulin dependent diabetes mellitus, myasthenia gravis and pernicious anaemia. We have found that Lactobacillus salivarius is an immunomodulatory bacterium. Thus, consumption either as a single component or in combination with other bacteria by patients suffering from autoimmune disease may restrict organ damage and help restore normal body homeostasis.

[0082] The introduction of probiotic organisms is accomplished by the ingestion of the microorganism in a suitable carrier. It would be advantageous to provide a medium that would promote the growth of these probiotic strains in the large bowel. The addition of one or more oligosaccharides, polysaccharides, or other prebiotics enhances the growth of lactic acid bacteria in the gastrointestinal tract (Gibson, G R. Br. J. Nutr. 1998;80 (4):S209-12). Prebiotics refers to any non-viable food component that is specifically fermented in the colon by indigenous bacteria thought to be of positive value, e.g. bifidobacteria, lactobacilli. Types of prebiotics may include those which contain fructose, xylose, soya, galactose, glucose and mannose. The combined administration of a probiotic strain with one or more prebiotic compounds may enhance the growth of the administered probiotic in vivo resulting in a more pronounced health benefit, and is termed synbiotic.

Problems solved by technology

The immune system within the gastrointestinal tract cannot have a pronounced reaction to members of this flora as the resulting inflammatory activity would also destroy host cells and tissue function.

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