Innovative probiotic PROVAG - food supplement
Lactic Acid Bacteria (Lactobacillus spp.) in Gynaecological Probiotics
Preparations based on probiotic bacterial strains help in reproduction and maintenance of normal bacterial flora of the vagina. Until recently, only intravaginal probiotic preparations were present on the market. Now also oral preparations of vaginal use are available. Oral preparations seem to be more convenient for use by a woman.
In the used urogynecological preparations, mainly lactic acid bacteria (Lactobacillus spp.) are used. Now 80 species of Lactobacillus bacteria were selected.
Lactic acid bacteria action is related to many independent mechanisms:
- Produce lactic acid (maintenance of appropriate vaginal pH, what prevents pathogen colonization in vagina)
- Produce hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) (important factor influencing maintenance of microbiological balance of normal vaginal flora)
- Produce volatile fatty acids (antibacterial properties)
- Are able to adhere to vagina epithelial cells (they compete with pathogens in absorption of nutrients and receptors in the vaginal epithelium)
- Compete with pathogens for nutritional components - inhibition of pathogens growth
- Produce bacteriocins that actively reduce the number of pathogens
- May create co-aggregates with various Lactobacillus species – increasing colonization effectiveness
- Modulate of immunological response
The figures below show Lactobacillus gasseri 57C stained with fluorescent stain 2.7 – dichlorofluorescine (DCFDA) indicating production of hydrogen peroxide(H2O2) inside cells (intensive green colour).
