Background: Helicobacter pylori
is considered as the main risk factor in the development of gastric cancer. In the
present study, we performed a detailed characterization of the probiotic properties and the anti-
H. pylori activity
of a previously isolated lactobacillus strain —
Lactobacillus fermentum
UCO-979C — obtained from human gut.
Results: The strain tolerated pH 3.0; grew in the presence of 2% bile salts; produced lactic acid and hydrogen
peroxide; aggregated in saline solution; showed high hydrophobicity; showed high adherence to glass; Caco-2
and gastric adenocarcinoma human cells (AGS) cells; showed an efficient colonization in Mongolian Gerbils;
and potently inhibited the growth and urease activity of
H. pylori strains.
L. fermentum UCO-979C significantly
inhibited
H. pylori-induced IL-8 production in AGS cells and reduced the viability of
H. pylori. With regard to
innocuousness, the strain UCO-979C was susceptible to several antibiotics and did not produce histamine or
beta-haemolysis in blood agar containing red blood cells from various origins.
Conclusion: The results demonstrated that
L. fermentum UCO-979C is a very good candidate as a probiotic for the
protection of humans against
H. pylori infections.
