Lactobacillus casei rhamnosus research studies

The use of Lactobacillus rhamnosus in the therapy of bacterial vaginosis. Evaluation of clinical efficacy in a population of 40 women treated for 24 months.
Arch Gynecol Obstet. 2009. Centro Diagnostico Varesino, CDV srl, Vicolo Sani Michele 6, 21100, Varese, Italy,
Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is the most prevalent vaginal disorder in adult women worldwide. A number of clinical studies indicate that re-establishment of the physiological ecosystem by re-colonization of vaginal mucosa by lactobacilli may be an effective therapy for BV both after initial antimicrobial therapy or when given alone. A vaginal pH <4.5 is considered physiological and its measurement has been reported as an objective parameter, very sensitive to alterations of vaginal microflora and correlated with clinically relevant BV. The aims of this work were to assess the effectiveness of a long-term (24 months) intravaginal treatment with Lactobacillus rhamnosus NORMOGIN) on the vaginal pH and on the clinical symptoms in a group of 40 women affected by BV diagnosed by the Amsel criteria. A prospective open clinical trial was performed in 40 consecutive cases evaluated for B.V. by the Amsel criteria. Vaginal pH was above the physiological value of 4.5 in 36 out of 40 patients at the first visit. It returned under 4.5 value in 24/40 and 32/40 women after 12 and 24 months of treatment, respectively. pH values were significantly decreased at 12 month treatment and further reduction in pH values was found at 24 months of treatment. The gradual return to a vaginal physiological pH was associated with a reduction of the intensity of symptoms as shown by the decrease in the symptoms score. The present study supports the use of pH measurement for sensitive, objective, and simple therapy follow-up in women with BV and shows that long-term administration of vaginal tablets containing Lactobacillus rhamnosus represents an effective and safe treatment for restoring the physiological vaginal pH and controlling BV symptoms.

Lactobacillus casei rhamnosus Lcr35 in children with chronic constipation.
Pediatr Int. 2007.
The purpose of the present paper was to evaluate the efficacy of probiotic (Lactobacillus casei rhamnosus, Lcr35) for treating children with chronic constipation and to compare its effect with magnesium oxide (MgO) and placebo. This double-blind placebo-controlled, randomized study enrolled 45 children under 10 years old with chronic constipation. They were randomly assigned to receive Lactobacillus casei rhamnosus (8 x 10(8) c.f.u./day), MgO (50 mg/kg/day), or placebo orally twice daily for 4 weeks. Lactulose use (1 mL/kg per day) was allowed when no stool passage for 3 days was noted. Glycerin enema was used only when no defecation was noted for >5 days or abdominal pain was suffered due to stool impaction. Bacterial cultures of stool were performed before and after treatment to evaluate the change of intestinal flora. Comparisons of the frequency of defecation, consistency of stool and the use of lactulose or enema during the period of treatment were made among the three groups. The patients who received MgO or probiotics had a higher defecation frequency, higher percentage of treatment success, less use of glycerin enema and less hard stool than the placebo group. There was no significant difference between MgO and probiotic groups in the aforementioned comparisons. The first effect of MgO (second week) on constipation was slightly earlier than that of probiotic (second to third week). Abdominal pain occurred less frequently in the probiotic group than in both the MgO and the placebo groups. There was no statistically significant difference among the three groups in the use of lactulose, episodes of fecal soiling, and change of appetite. No adverse effect was noted in probiotic and placebo groups. Only one patient in the MgO group suffered from mild diarrhea. Lactobacillus casei rhamnosus was effective in treating children with chronic constipation. There is no statistically significant difference in efficacy between MgO and Lactobacillus casei rhamnosus, but less abdominal pain occurred when using Lactobacillus casei rhamnosus.