Effect of Oral Probiotic Lactobacillus rhamnosus GR-1 and Lactobacillus reuteri RC-14 on the Vaginal Microbiota, Cytokines and Chemokines in Pregnant Women
- 2020-01-30
- Nutrients 12(2)
- Siwen Yang
- G. Reid
- J. Challis
- G. Gloor
- E. Asztalos
- D. Money
- Shannon Seney
- A. Bocking
- PubMed: 32019222
- DOI: 10.3390/nu12020368
Abstract
Spontaneous preterm birth is associated with vaginal microbial dysbiosis. As certain strains of lactobacilli help restore homeostasis in non-pregnant women, the goal was to determine the effect of Lactobacillus rhamnosus GR-1 and Lactobacillus reuteri RC-14 administered orally, twice daily for 12 weeks on the vaginal microbiota, cytokines and chemokines of low-risk pregnant women. A double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized trial comparing probiotic lactobacilli to placebo daily was performed in 86 asymptomatic pregnant women who had an Intermediate or Bacterial Vaginosis Nugent score at 13 weeks. After drop outs, 32 women receiving probiotics and 34 receiving placebo completed the study. The Nugent score returned to normal in 30% of the women in both groups at 28 weeks and was maintained until 35 weeks. The majority of subjects had normal pregnancy outcomes. Ninety-three bacterial species were detected at 13 weeks, with Lactobacillus iners, Lactobacillus crispatus, Gardnerella vaginalis and Atopobium vaginae being the most abundant across pregnancy. There was no difference in the Shannon diversity index between the probiotic and placebo groups at 13, 28 or 35 weeks. Almost all subjects consumed fermented foods and many of the organisms in the vagina are also known to be present in fermented foods. Interleukin-4 in the placebo group and Interleukin-10 in both probiotic and placebo groups increased slightly at 28 weeks but were not different at 35 weeks when compared to 13 weeks. In conclusion, this study showed no adverse issues resulting from 12 week use of probiotic Lactobacillus strains GR-1 and RC-14 during pregnancy in women at low risk for premature birth. The vaginal microbiota demonstrated flux irrespective of this oral probiotic administration.
Keywords: bacterial vaginosis; chemokines; cytokines; microbiota; pregnancy; probiotics.
Research Insights
Supplement | Health Outcome | Effect Type | Effect Size |
---|---|---|---|
Lactobacillus reuteri | Normal Pregnancy Outcomes | Neutral | Small |
Lactobacillus reuteri | Stable Vaginal Microbiota | Neutral | Small |
Lactobacillus reuteri RC-14 | Absence of Adverse Pregnancy Complications | Neutral | Small |
Lactobacillus reuteri RC-14 | No Significant Impact on Vaginal Microbiota | Neutral | Small |
Lactobacillus reuteri RC-14 | Normal Pregnancy Outcomes | Neutral | Small |
Lactobacillus rhamnosus | Altered Vaginal Microbiota | Neutral | Small |
Lactobacillus rhamnosus | Change in Vaginal Microbiota Composition | Neutral | Small |
Lactobacillus rhamnosus | Successful Pregnancy Outcome | Neutral | Small |
Lactobacillus rhamnosus GR-1 | Increased Interleukin-10 Levels | Neutral | Small |
Lactobacillus rhamnosus GR-1 | No Adverse Effects | Neutral | Moderate |
Lactobacillus rhamnosus GR-1 | Normalized Nugent Score | Neutral | Small |
Lactobacillus rhamnosus LBV96 | Maintained Vaginal Microbiota | Neutral | Small |
Lactobacillus rhamnosus LBV96 | No Change in Cytokines or Chemokines Levels | Neutral | Small |
Lactobacillus rhamnosus LBV96 | Unchanged Vaginal Microbiota Diversity | Neutral | Small |
Lactobacillus rhamnosus Lr-32 | No Adverse Effects | Neutral | Moderate |
Lactobacillus rhamnosus R0011 | Increased Interleukin-10 Levels | Neutral | Small |
Lactobacillus rhamnosus R0011 | No Adverse Health Effects | Neutral | Large |
Lactobacillus rhamnosus R0011 | Normalized Nugent Score | Neutral | Small |