US Pharm. 2013;38(3):7.
Boston, MA—Chemicals secreted by good bacteria typically living in babies’ intestines could reduce the frequency and severity of necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), a serious disease of premature infants. Researchers grew probiotic strains of Lactobacillus acidophilus and Bifidobacterium infantis and exposed fetal intestinal tissue and intestinal tissue from infants with NEC to secretions from the probiotic conditioned medium (PCM). PCM treatment was found to significantly reduce inflammation in both types of tissue. Secretions from B infantis showed a greater ability to reduce inflammation than those from L acidophilus, although this finding does not rule out the possibility of a synergistic effect when used together. If purified secretions can reduce NEC’s incidence and severity, this may ultimately change the standard of care for very-low-birthweight infants.
To comment on this article, contact rdavidson@uspharmacist.com.
