L. reuteri on H. pylori infections in humans

Open pilot trial with the aim to study if 6 months’ of supplementation with Lactobacillus reuteri had any effecton Helicobacter pylori colonisation and gastric mucosal inflammation in humans. Seven dyspeptic adult patients completed the study. The daily dose of L. reuteri ATCC 55730 was 4x10⁸ colony forming units (CFU), ingested as 2 tablets twice per day. Colonisation of H. pylori was verified by gastric biopsies and C13 urea breath tests (UBT) at inclusion and at the end of the study. Stomach biopsies were taken from four locations and analysed for presence of H. pylori and grade of inflammation. The biopsies were also analysed for colonisation of L. reuteri by using FISH (fluorescence in situ hybridisation) technique and an L. reuteri specific beacon probe. No significant changes in the mean values of UBT were found. The degree of H. pylori colonisation was also unchanged, as were gastric inflammation scores. FISH showed that 22% of the biopsies (3 individuals) were positive for L. reuteri at inclusion and 94% at the end of the study. The increase in L. reuteri colonisation was found in all stomach locations.

Conclusion: L. reuteri had no effect on H. pylori colonisation or degree of stomach inflammation. L. reuteri was well tolerated and able to colonise the stomach in H. pylori-infected patients.

Reference

Long-term administration of Lactobacillus reuteri (ATCC 55730) has no influence on gastric mucosal inflammation and colonization of Helicobacter pylori in humans. A pilot study. Glintborg V, Dawids S, Preuss Hasselby J, Winther Nielsen H, Mertz Nielsen A. (2006) Int J Probiotics Prebiotics 1(3-4): 219-223.