Summary of Research on Lactobacillus Casei

Impact on Metabolic Syndrome

A study assessed the effect of Lactobacillus casei Shirota on gut permeability and inflammation in metabolic syndrome patients. Despite increased gut permeability in these patients, supplementation with the probiotic did not show significant changes in this permeability or other inflammatory markers. The study discussed potential reasons for the lack of effect, including study duration and probiotic dosing.

Potential Health Benefits of LAB

Research from 1993 noted the absence of clinically proven uses of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) in treatment or immune system modulation. However, it highlighted potential benefits such as aiding in lactose digestion, cholesterol metabolism, prevention of infections, immune system modulation, and serving as oral vaccines, advocating for further research.

Role in Intestinal Permeability and Diseases

Several studies investigated the role of gut microbiota and intestinal permeability in obesity, nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), insulin resistance, diabetes, and autoimmune diseases. Findings suggested that gut bacteria composition, particularly bifidobacteria, plays a role in managing inflammation and metabolic disturbances. Moreover, probiotic strains, including Lactobacillus casei, have immune-enhancing effects and may influence cytokine production.

Probiotics in Autoimmune Neurologic Conditions

Research on the safety of Lactobacillus casei strain Shirota in managing autoimmune neurologic conditions indicated that it might be beneficial without exacerbating the disease.

Effects on Immune Function

Studies on endurance athletes and cadets showed that supplementation with Lactobacillus casei strain Shirota reduced the frequency of upper respiratory tract infections and may help maintain immune marker levels during intense training.

Vaginal Microbiota and Health

Research on the vaginal microbiota of healthy and bacterial vaginosis-intermediate women revealed that Lactobacillus casei is part of a diverse ecosystem that contributes to vaginal health. The presence of certain Lactobacillus species, including Lactobacillus crispatus and Lactobacillus jensenii, is associated with a lower frequency of bacterial vaginosis.

Conclusion

While studies have shown varying impacts of Lactobacillus casei on health, its potential benefits in immune modulation, gut permeability, and as a part of a healthy vaginal microbiota are promising, warranting further research.

References:

1. The influence of probiotic supplementation on gut permeability in patients with metabolic syndrome: an open label, randomized pilot study
2. Potential of using lactic acid bacteria for therapy and immunomodulation in man
3. Increased intestinal permeability in obese mice: new evidence in the pathogenesis of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis
4. Metabolic endotoxemia initiates obesity and insulin resistance
5. Selective increases of bifidobacteria in gut microflora improve high-fat-diet-induced diabetes in mice through a mechanism associated with endotoxaemia
6. Lipopolysaccharide activates an innate immune system response in human adipose tissue in obesity and type 2 diabetes
7. Interplay between obesity and associated metabolic disorders: new insights into the gut microbiota
8. A marker of endotoxemia is associated with obesity and related metabolic disorders in apparently healthy Chinese
9. Natural antibiotics and insulin sensitivity: the role of bactericidal/permeability-increasing protein
10. Increased leptin concentrations correlate with increased concentrations of inflammatory markers in morbidly obese individuals
11. Daily probiotic's (Lactobacillus casei Shirota) reduction of infection incidence in athletes
12. Effect of a probiotics supplementation on respiratory infections and immune and hormonal parameters during intense military training
13. Comparative effects of six probiotic strains on immune function in vitro
14. Oral administration of probiotic bacteria, Lactobacillus casei and Bifidobacterium breve, does not exacerbate neurological symptoms in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis
15. Probiotic upregulation of peripheral IL-17 responses does not exacerbate neurological symptoms in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis mouse models
16. The role of T helper 17 (Th17) and regulatory T cells (Treg) in human organ transplantation and autoimmune disease
17. Changes in gut microbiota control metabolic endotoxemia-induced inflammation in high-fat diet-induced obesity and diabetes in mice
18. Lactobacillus casei strain GG reverses increased intestinal permeability induced by cow milk in suckling rats
19. Lysate of probiotic Lactobacillus casei DN-114 001 ameliorates colitis by strengthening the gut barrier function and changing the gut microenvironment
20. Beneficial effect of oral administration of Lactobacillus casei strain Shirota on insulin resistance in diet-induced obesity mice
21. Differences in the composition of vaginal microbial communities found in healthy Caucasian and black women
22. Lactobacillus species isolated from vaginal secretions of healthy and bacterial vaginosis-intermediate Mexican women: a prospective study
23. The aetiology of bacterial vaginosis
24. The identification of vaginal Lactobacillus species and the demographic and microbiologic characteristics of women colonized by these species