Survival of L. casei DG^® (Lactobacillus paracasei CNCMI1572) in the gastrointestinal tract of a healthy paediatric population.

ABSTRACT:

Purpose

Ability to survive the digestive process is a major factor in determining the effectiveness of a probiotic. In this study, the ability of the probiotic L. casei DG^® (Lactobacillus paracasei CNCMI1572) to survive gastrointestinal transit in healthy children was investigated for the first time.

Methods

Twenty children aged 3-12 years received L. casei DG^® as drinkable solution of 1?×?10⁹ colony forming units (CFU), once daily for 7 consecutive days. Recovery in faecal samples was evaluated at baseline and at different time-points during and after administration. Defecation frequency, faeces consistency, digestive function and product safety were also assessed.

Results

Nineteen (95%) of the 20 enrolled children presented viable L. casei DG^® cells in their faeces at least once during the study, with a maximum count (mean 4.3 log₁₀ CFU/g?±?2.3) reached between day 4 and 6 from the beginning of consumption. Notably, for 11 (57.9%) of the 19 children with viable cells, L. casei DG^® survived in faecal samples up to 3 days after treatment end. Defecation frequency, faeces consistency and digestive function did not change considerably during or after study treatment. Safety of the study product was very good.

Conclusions

This study showed for the first time that L. casei DG^® survives the gastrointestinal transit when ingested by children with a paediatric probiotic drinkable solution containing 1?×?10⁹ CFU, and persists in the gut up to 3 days after the end of product intake, demonstrating resistance to gastric juices, hydrolytic enzymes and bile acids.

SUBMITTER: Radicioni M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6842349 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature