Lactobacillus rhamnosus: Difference between revisions

From Citizendium
Jump to navigation Jump to search
imported>Tamara Goodman
imported>Tamara Goodman
Line 31: Line 31:
Despite all of L. rhamnosus GG positive attributes and the beneficial effects it can have on the human body, it not not found in the majority of the population. However, there are several of ways to get this friendly bacteria into the gut such as eating most dairy products, as well as fruit drinks. Along with food, a person may also take pills of Dicoflor 60 which contains 6 billion LGG bacteria in one capsule. In addition to Dicoflor, there are many other companies that generate compacted capsules of ''L. rhamnosus'' such as Culturelle.  
Despite all of L. rhamnosus GG positive attributes and the beneficial effects it can have on the human body, it not not found in the majority of the population. However, there are several of ways to get this friendly bacteria into the gut such as eating most dairy products, as well as fruit drinks. Along with food, a person may also take pills of Dicoflor 60 which contains 6 billion LGG bacteria in one capsule. In addition to Dicoflor, there are many other companies that generate compacted capsules of ''L. rhamnosus'' such as Culturelle.  
{{Image|Product dicoflor60 visualka.jpg|left|350px|Dicoflor 60 capsules.}}
{{Image|Product dicoflor60 visualka.jpg|left|350px|Dicoflor 60 capsules.}}


=='''Current Research'''==
=='''Current Research'''==

Revision as of 22:34, 12 May 2009

All unapproved Citizendium articles may contain errors of fact, bias, grammar etc. A version of an article is unapproved unless it is marked as citable with a dedicated green template at the top of the page, as in this version of the 'Biology' article. Citable articles are intended to be of reasonably high quality. The participants in the Citizendium project make no representations about the reliability of Citizendium articles or, generally, their suitability for any purpose.

Attention niels epting.png
Attention niels epting.png
This article is currently being developed as part of an Eduzendium student project in the framework of a course entitled Microbiology 201 at Queens College, CUNY. The course homepage can be found at CZ:Biol 201: General Microbiology.
For the course duration, the article is closed to outside editing. Of course you can always leave comments on the discussion page. The anticipated date of course completion is May 21, 2009. One month after that date at the latest, this notice shall be removed.
Besides, many other Citizendium articles welcome your collaboration!


This article is a stub and thus not approved.
Main Article
Discussion
Related Articles  [?]
Bibliography  [?]
External Links  [?]
Citable Version  [?]
 
This editable Main Article is under development and subject to a disclaimer.
Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG
286001.jpg
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Eubacteria
Phylum: Firmicutes
Class: Bacilli
Order: Lactobacillales
Family: Lactobacillaceae
Genus: Lactobacillus
Species: L. rhamnosus GG
Binomial name
Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG

Description and significance

Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG (LGG) was isolated in 1983 from a healthy human and was indicated to be a strain of Lactobacillus rhamnosus by Sherwood Gorbach and Barry Goldin. The "GG" is attributed to the scientists who made this discovery. [1] L.rhamnosus GG is a probiotic bacteria known for its beneficial effects on the intestinal tract and can also boost a persons immune system and fight against intestinal pathogens. This helpful bacteria is said to balance the microfauna of the gastrointestinal tract. It can be taken in orally and then it attaches itself to the gastrointestinal membrane.[2] LGG can stimulate antibody production, enhances phagocytosis (a process in which an immunity cell engulfs foreign invaders), and modifies production of cytokines which are important proteins in the immune response. LGG is also known to decrease the proliferation of carcinogenic elements by other bacteria living in the intestine. [3] In addition, in 2005 LGG was used to treat gastrointestinal carriage of vancomycin-resistant enterococci in patients with kidney problems. [4] L. rhamnosus GG has shown to shorten the duration of rotavirus diarrhoea (Guandalini et. al 2000), relief inflammatory bowel disease (Gupta et. al 2000), and treat and prevent allergies. (Kalliomaki et al. 2001b) LGG can suppress bacterial enzyme activity, while eliminate certain components of the normal intestinal flora which in turn benefits the person. It also produces an antimicrobial substance active against a number of different bacteria that are harmful to humans such as Escherichia coli Salmonella spp., Clostridium spp., Streptococcus spp., and Bacteroides spp. (dog article) Since it has so many positive effects on the human body, it is now available to buy in dairy products or in form of capsules to ingest orally.

Genome structure

The genomic sequence of Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG consists of over three million nucleotides which make up approximately 3100 genes. Compared to other lactic acid bacteria, this genome is somewhat larger, allowing LGG to propagate a greater diversity of qualities which can be the reason it can induce a larger variety of qualities when compared to other probiotic bacteria.[5] Like most other bacterium, LGG has a double stranded circular DNA.

Cell structure and metabolism

Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG is a rod shaped, gram positive, nonmotile faculative aerobic bacterium that ferments lactic acid from sugars.

Ecology

LGG can survive acidic environments and bile digestion and has been shown to reside in the human gastrointestinal tracts.[6]. On rare occasion, LGG has been found in the sexual reproductive system of women. However, LGG should not be considered to help against urinary tract infections because this bacterium does not attach efficiently to the vaginal epithelium.[7]

Commercial Importance

Despite all of L. rhamnosus GG positive attributes and the beneficial effects it can have on the human body, it not not found in the majority of the population. However, there are several of ways to get this friendly bacteria into the gut such as eating most dairy products, as well as fruit drinks. Along with food, a person may also take pills of Dicoflor 60 which contains 6 billion LGG bacteria in one capsule. In addition to Dicoflor, there are many other companies that generate compacted capsules of L. rhamnosus such as Culturelle.

Dicoflor 60 capsules.

Current Research

L. rhmnosus GG is the most studied probiotic bacteria today, especially for its positive effects on the gastrointestinal tract. A lot of research is being conducted on the effects it has on the gastrointestinal tract and its effect on immunity. Some older studies incorporating the benefits of LGG shows its ability to reduce inflammation of the intestine in children with cystic fibrosis. Studies have also shown how LGG can improve the efficacy of several vaccines such as the booster polio vaccination. More recently, the National Institute of Health is researching weather LGG improves immune response to the flu vaccine. Another study that currently in progress is examining if giving LGG to pregnant women who exhibit a family history of asthma reduces the chance of thier new born infants having asthma. [8]

Probiotics: an overview of beneficial effects


Is Lactobacillus GG Helpful in Children with Crohn's disease? Results of a Preliminary, Open-Label Study


Lactobacillus supplemaentation for diarrhoea related to study chemotherapy of colorectal cancer: a randomised study

more info pending

References

Technical Difficulties. All references will be reposted within a few days and all sections will be further contributed to.

  1. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lactobacillus_rhamnosus
  2. National Cancer Institude. NCI Drug Dictionary. http://www.cancer.gov/Templates/drugdictionary.aspx?CdrID=468840
  3. Young, Rose. Vitamin Research Products. Lactobacillus Rhamnosus GG, Powerful Probiotic Strenghs Digestion and Immunity. 2009.
  4. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lactobacillus_rhamnosus
  5. Nutraceuticals World. Valio decodes genome sequence of LGG. 2007 http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-171326342.html
  6. Weese, SJ and Anderson, MEC. Preliminary evaluation of Lactobacillus rhamnosus strain GG, a potential probiotic in dogs. The Canadian Veterinary Journal. 2002 October; 43(10): 771–774
  7. Colodner, Rau and Edelstein, Hana. Vaginal colonization by orally administered Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG. The Israel Medical Association journal : IMAJ 2003;5(11):767-9.
  8. 3
  • NCI Drug Dictionary, "Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG", National Cancer Dictionary. Retrieved on 2009-04-20
  • Osterlund, P.; T. Ruotsalainen & R. Korpela (2007), "Lactobacillus supplementation for diarhoea related to chemotherapy of colorectal cancer: a randomised study", British Journal of Cancer 97: 6


Technical Difficulties. All references will be reposted within a few days and all sections will be further contributed to.