New possibilities of LB81 lactic acid bacteria

Joint research between Meiji Co., Ltd. and the Pasteur Institute identifies two new functions of LB81 lactic acid bacteria.

Healthy intestines are equipped with a defense mechanism, including the layer called the intestinal barrier lining the surface of the intestinal epithelial cells that fends off harmful exogenous agents. However, the intestines of humans living in this day and age are subjected to major challenges in the form of poorly balanced dietary habits burdensome to the digestive tract, stress caused by overwork, irregular lifestyles, etc., aside from the deterioration of function with age. When one’s intestinal functions are diminished by such factors, the substances that support the barrier function decline in number, which in turn weakens the intestinal barrier and increases the risk of attack by cells, pathogens, and other harmful substances.

Our research on LB81 lactic acid bacteria has shown that they increase antimicrobial peptides in the intestinal barrier, which are a crucial substance of the barrier being comprised of multiple elements, and enhance the barrier’s function.

So, LB81 lactic acid bacteria are thought to act on the intestinal epithelial cells that have been damaged by stress and aging, promote the creation of antimicrobial peptides that maintain the barrier function of the intestines, and keep the intestines healthy and functioning properly.

Antimicrobial peptides (part of the Reg family) are created in the intestinal epithelial cells and are known to protect the intestinal tract from harmful bacteria, pathogens, and other noxious substances while also improving the balance of intestinal flora. When the several constituents of this barrier function were examined in mice, the creation of antimicrobial peptides was lower in old mice than in young mice. Further, when old mice were fed yogurt made from LB81 lactic acid bacteria and compared to old and young mice that had not been fed the yogurt in terms of antimicrobial peptide creation, the yogurt apparently had positive effects, especially on the creation of Reg3b (beta) and Reg3g (gamma). As some published papers have reported that colitis tends to exacerbate and becomes difficult to heal in Reg3b-suppressed mice, Reg3b might be an important antimicrobial peptide that suppresses inflammation in the colon.

Moreover, when young mice were fed yogurt made from LB81 lactic acid bacteria, increased production of Reg3b and Reg3g was observed as was the case with the old mice, proving that the yogurt enhances the barrier function in both old and young intestines.

The intestines of humans today are placed under tremendous strain, mainly due to poorly balanced diets, overwork, irregular lifestyle, and various other physical and mental stresses that all place a burden on the digestive tract, in addition to the obvious age-induced functional deterioration common in countries that enjoy long life expectancies. If a person is constantly exposed to such stresses for an extended period, deterioration in the digestive and intestinal barrier functions and degradation of overall intestinal function will occur, resulting in faster intestinal aging.

The intestines of a person have a certain condition optimal for age, and are subject to homeostasis that keeps them in the optimal condition constantly. However, when this homeostatic function is compromised due to aging or a pathogen, the person’s immunological homeostasis is also expected to decline. When this study was conducted, it was hypothesized that consumption of LB81 lactic acid bacteria, which are known to improve the balance of intestinal flora consisting of good, bad, and opportunistic bacteria, might support the homeostasis of the intestinal flora and restore immune strength as a result.

The study identified the new function of LB81 lactic acid bacteria that positively affects the immune cells in the intestines as well as the intestinal flora.

As they help with the homeostasis of immune cells, LB81 lactic acid bacteria are expected to provide various positive health effects.

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