L. rhamnosus CA15: the probiotic allied to women's well-being

Lactobacilli play a vital role in maintaining homeostasis in vaginal microbiota and there have been promising results not only for the treatment of dysbiosis, but also its onset in the first place.

A recent clinical trial has shown that, in as few as 10 days, consumption of the probiotic Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus CA15 by mouth is able to reduce the severity and lower the extent of vaginal dysbiosis caused by candida overgrowth and bacterial infection.

Even after supplementation of probiotics has finished, beneficial effects continue for up to 30 days, maintaining vaginal eubiosis and averting the danger of relapse.

The CA15 probiotic promotes the balance of the vaginal microbiota, fostering the development of good bacteria to the detriment of other potentially dangerous microorganisms that could lead to fungal or bacterial vaginitis and vaginosis.
 

The beneficial effects of L. rhamnosus CA15

The clinical and preclinical findings of this trial point to the ability of the probiotic strain L. rhamnosus CA15 (DSM 33960), administered by mouth, to restore homeostasis in the vaginal microbiota and, therefore, to significantly reduce clinical signs and symptoms, improving the quality of life for women of reproductive age. 

More especially, the strain L. rhamnosus CA15 has been found to have interesting probiotic properties in vitro which make it capable of:

• inhibiting a broad spectrum offungal and bacterial pathogens (Escherichia coli, Candida albicans, Candida glabrata, Candida krusei, Candida parapsilosis, Candida tropicalis, Gardnerella vaginalis, Listeria monocytogenes, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Pseudomonas monteilii, Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus agalactiae)

• inhibiting the formation of biofilmscaused by species belonging to the Candida genus

• combating colonisation of the vaginal area by pathogenic bacteria, contributing to the maintenance and re-establishment of homeostasis of the vaginal microbiota

• producing large amounts of lactic acidwhich in turn lowers the vaginal pH

• exerting an anti-inflammatory action

• fighting off free radicalsthrough its antioxidant action, thus reducing oxidative stress associated with the onset of various diseases.
   

The study

A randomised study with a double-blind control group was conducted in order to check the preclinical findings against in vivo results, and the effectiveness of CA15 administered by mouth was measured as a treatment for vaginal dysbiosis. 

The study was conducted in keeping with Good Clinical Practices and in accordance with the policies of the World Medical Association (WMA) on ethical standards for medical research on humans.

The clinical trial showed a statistically meaningful reduction in the signs and symptoms of vaginal dysbiosis (leukorrhea, a burning sensation, subjective perception of vaginal disorders, the presence of vulvovaginal erythaema/oedema and burning), as well as a reduction in the Amsel criteria (presence of clue cells, vaginal discharges, production of unpleasant smells and a vaginal pH greater than 4.5) and in the Nugent score.

These differences were detectable not only 10 days after the start of treatment, but also during the washout period (30 days after the treatment ended). No meaningful variations in the aforementioned signs and symptoms were encountered in the placebo group.

As far as the composition of the vaginal microbiota was concerned, as expected, all the patients when enlisted in the experiment had a low cell density of lactobacilli and a high number of vaginal pathogens, such as G. vaginalis, streptococci, enterococci and Candida spp. In other words, their microbial ecosystem was in a state of dysbiosis. Oral administration of the CA15 strain for 10 days resulted in a statistically meaningful reduction of the pathogenic microorganisms.

A statistical analysis of the data collected from the questionnaire about quality of life (WHOQOL-BREF) clearly showed that the patients who were administered CA15 experienced an improvement in physical health, social relations, sexual relations and in the overall quality of life. On the other hand, no meaningful variations were observed in the placebo group for any of the areas covered by the questionnaire.

For further information, download the full research paper beneath or visit the webpage about Sacco System probiotics for women’s health.