Lactobacillus Improves Helicobacter Pylori Infected Diseases

New research on the potential anti-H. pylori and anti-inflammation in vivo effects of two lactobacillus strains from the human stomach may indicate a possible new treatment for H. pylori-associated diseases.

According to the study results, published in the World Journal of Gastroenterology, the researchers divided 40 H. pylori-infected Balb/c mice into four groups: a proton pump inhibitor and antibiotics triple-treated group, a Lactobacillus fermenti (L. fermenti)-treated group, a Lactobacillus acidophilus-treated group, and a normal saline control group. Ten uninfected mice were included as a blank control group.

The researchers wrote, “Histopathologic evaluation showed significant release of mucosal inflammation in gastric antrum and gastric body in lactobacillus treated groups and triple treated group. H. pylori eradication rate in both lactobacillus treated groups and triple treated group were higher than normal saline control group. Lactobacillus treated groups and triple treated group showed significant decrease of H. pylori bacterial density.”

Rapid urease tests, Giemsa staining, and bacterial culture were used to identify H. pylori infection, and the colonization of these bacteria “was assessed in bacterial density score and gastric inflammation was assessed in histological score.” The researchers used fluorescent probe to colonize L. fermenti.

Both actobacillus strain Lactobacillus fermenti (L. fermenti) and Lactobacillus acidophilus (L. acidophilus) showed “significant” activity against H. pylori. However, L. fermenti was found to have “more efficient antagonistic activity in vivo,” with efficacy that was close to the rate produced by standard triple therapy.