Lactobacillus acidophilus LA-02
.One of the most well-know probiotics
.Suitable both for intestinal and vaginal use
.Good anti-inflammatory properties
.Kidney stone: oxalate degradation up to 68% in 24 hours
.Human Clinical Trial:
.Satisfactory approach to IBS therapy (in combination with LP01)
.Available in allergen free form (patented technology)
.Available in microencapsulated form (patented technology)
Lactobacillus acidophilus is a Gram-positive, non-spore forming, homofermentative, catalase-negative rod. It is a common inhabitant of the human intestinal tract, mouth and vagina. Its use as probiotic has been validated in numerous human studies.
Strain Characterization
To guarantee a perfect taxonomical classification and traceability Probiotical research team have developed different microbiological and bio-molecular protocols in order to characterize till biotype level the L. acidophilus LA-02.
According to most recent EFSA guidelines strain characterization was performed using species specific PCR (Fig.1) and PFGE (Fig.2) as a tool for determine differences in biotypes belonging to the same species.
Fig.1 specie-specific PCR performed with primer pair specific for L.acidophilus group. Positive control: L.acidophilus DSM 20079: Reference strain: L.acidophilus LA02; Negative control: L.rhamnosus DSM 20021
Fig.2 Biotype characterization using PFGE
technique. Comparison strain L. acidophilus
DSM 20279; Sample strain: L. acidophilus LA-02
Safety and antibiotic resistance
L. acidophilus LA-02 was isolated from healthy human and was not exposed to any genetic manipulation. The strain has been deposited in the Deutsche Sammlung von Mikroorganismen und Zellkulturen as DSM 21717
Lactic acid bacteria have long been considered safe and suitable for human consumption. In fact several scientific publication have assessed the absolute safety in ingesting L.acidophilus strains. Moreover this strain was used for decades in numerous traditional fermented food and generally accepted as beneficial for human health. For these reasons EFSA has also added these species to the Qualified Presumption of Safety list.
Antibiotic resistance is a type of drug resistance where a microorganism is able to survive exposure to an antibiotic with the severe risk to transfer this property to negative bacteria or pathogens. Probiotical determines the Antibiotic Resistance Patterns for every strain using antibiotics and limits listed in International guidelines. Strains that present a resistance to commercially available antibiotics are rejected.
As listed in the table below, L. acidophilus LA02 doesn’t have resistance. Moreover, no case of antibiotic resistance transfer has ever been identified and reported for the lactic acid bacteria used in food and feed.
Probiotic efficacy
In order to assess strains capability to survive gastric tract passage, resistance to human gastric acids and bile salts have been performed. In vitro studies, that mimic human stomach and duodenum, have shown that L. acidophilus LA-02 is able to resist both in high acidic conditions and in presence of human bile.
Immunomodulation
The intestinal microbiota represents one of the key elements in the regulation of immunity system both innate and acquired. L. acidophilus LA-02 was investigated in vitro for its ability to induce the peripheral blood mononucleocytes (PMBC) secretion of selected cytokines: interleukin IL-10, IL12, interferon INF-γ and IL-4. Moreover the pro-inflammatory/anti-inflammatory (Th1/Th2) ratio was calculated and compared to baseline values. Results (Fig.3) show a clear shift toward a Th2 (anti Th1) cytokines response. Therefore L. acidophilus LA-02 could be useful used in people which present an unbalanced immunological profile toward Th1 that is usually over-represented in autoimmune diseases and intestinal cronical inflammation.
Human studies
Probiotics in the Treatment of Irritable Bowel Syndrome.Saggioro A., J Clin Gastroentero, July 2004, volume 38,
supplement 2, pages S104-S106A placebo – controlled study has been performed to define the ability of LA02 and LP01 in the treatment of IBS.70 patients with a previous history of IBS were enrolled and randomelly assigned to receive twice a day for 4 weeks a blend of LP01 and LA02 (5 billion CFU/g each).
The results show a decrease of the severity of symptoms and pain. Pain score in different abdominal locations after treatment decreased in probiotic group 49% versus 25% (P , 0.05) in placebo group after 14 days and 49% versus 29.5% (P, 0.001) after 28 days. The severity score of characteristic IBD symptoms significantly decreased in probiotic group versus placebo group after 14 days, 55.6% versus 8% (P , 0.001), and these data were confirmed after 28 days (55.6% versus 14.4%, P , 0.001)