Skip to main content
Supplement Research and Comparison WebsiteBest Price Guarantee
Supplement Research and Comparison Website

The effects of Lactobacillus plantarum on small intestinal barrier function and mucosal gene transcription; a randomized double-blind placebo controlled trial

  • 2017-01-03
  • Scientific Reports 7(1)
    • Z. Mujagic
    • P. de Vos
    • M. Boekschoten
    • C. Govers
    • Harm-Jan H. M. Pieters
    • N. D. de Wit
    • P. Bron
    • A. Masclee
    • F. Troost

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of three Lactobacillus plantarum strains on in-vivo small intestinal barrier function and gut mucosal gene transcription in human subjects. The strains were selected for their differential effects on TLR signalling and tight junction protein rearrangement, which may lead to beneficial effects in a stressed human gut mucosa. Ten healthy volunteers participated in four different intervention periods: 7-day oral intake of either L. plantarum WCFS1, CIP104448, TIFN101 or placebo, proceeded by a 4 weeks wash-out period. Lactulose-rhamnose ratio (an indicator of small intestinal permeability) increased after intake of indomethacin, which was given as an artificial stressor of the gut mucosal barrier (mean ratio 0.06 ± 0.04 to 0.10 ± 0.06, p = 0.001), but was not significantly affected by the bacterial interventions. However, analysis in small intestinal biopsies, obtained by gastroduodenoscopy, demonstrated that particularly L. plantarum TIFN101 modulated gene transcription pathways related to cell-cell adhesion with high turnover of genes involved in tight- and adhesion junction protein synthesis and degradation (e.g. actinin alpha-4, metalloproteinase-2). These effects were less pronounced for L. plantarum WCFS1 and CIP104448. In conclusion, L. plantarum TIFN101 induced the most pronounced probiotic properties with specific gene transcriptional effects on repair processes in the compromised intestine of healthy subjects.

Research Insights

SupplementHealth OutcomeEffect TypeEffect Size
Lactobacillus Bulgaricus & Lactobacillus PlantarumEnhanced Gene Transcription Pathways for Cell-Cell AdhesionBeneficial
Moderate
Lactobacillus Bulgaricus & Lactobacillus PlantarumNo Significant Effect on Small Intestinal PermeabilityNeutral
Small
Lactobacillus plantarumEnhanced Gene Transcription Pathways for Cell-Cell AdhesionBeneficial
Moderate
Lactobacillus plantarumEnhanced Intestinal Repair ProcessesBeneficial
Moderate
Lactobacillus plantarum WCFS1Enhanced Gene Transcription Pathways for Cell-Cell AdhesionBeneficial
Moderate
Back to top