Thailand medical researchers find that the probiotic Limosilactobacillus reuteri reduces UTI bacteria and enhances immunity

Thailand Medical: Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are one of the most common bacterial infections globally, causing significant health burdens, particularly among women, young children, and the elderly. The rise of multidrug-resistant uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC) has only exacerbated the issue. However, new research offers hope in the form of probiotics, specifically Limosilactobacillus reuteri KUB-AC5, which has shown remarkable potential in fighting UPEC. Thailand Medical researchers from Chiang Mai University, Kasetsart University and King Mongkut's University of Technology Thonburi conducted a study demonstrating how this probiotic strain can both inhibit UPEC growth and strengthen the immune response.


Thailand medical researchers find that the probiotic Limosilactobacillus reuteri reduces UTI bacteria and enhances immunity

The Growing Threat of UTIs and UPEC
Urinary tract infections affect millions of people each year, with women being disproportionately impacted. UPEC, a common strain of Escherichia coli found in the gut, is responsible for the majority of UTIs. Once it enters the bladder, UPEC adheres to and invades the bladder lining, often resulting in inflammation, pain, and discomfort. This bacterium can also resist the body's immune response, evading detection by hiding within the bladder’s cells. As antibiotic resistance grows, particularly in strains of UPEC, the treatment of UTIs becomes increasingly difficult.
 
The research team focused on L. reuteri KUB-AC5, a strain isolated from the chicken intestine, and explored its potential as a urogenital probiotic against UPEC. The study tested both the direct and indirect effects of the probiotic on several UPEC strains, including multidrug-resistant strains. The results were promising, offering a potential alternative to traditional antibiotic treatments.
 
Key Study Findings: Probiotic’s Effects on UPEC Growth
In this study, both viable cells and cell-free supernatants of Limosilactobacillus reuteri KUB-AC5 significantly reduced the growth of UPEC strains. Tests such as the spot-on-lawn, agar-well diffusion, and competitive growth assays revealed that KUB-AC5 inhibited UPEC growth in all strains tested, including both common and multidrug-resistant variants.

The human bladder epithelial cell line, UM-UC-3, was utilized to assess how KUB-AC5 could prevent UPEC from adhering to bladder cells. In the presence of the probiotic, UPEC attachment to bladder cells was dramatically reduced. These effects were dose-dependent, with higher doses of KUB-AC5 showing stronger inhibition of bacterial adhesion.
 
These findings suggest that probiotics like KUB-AC5 could play a vital role in preventing bacterial infections, particularly in the urinary tract, which is often susceptible to UPEC invasion.
 
Enhancing Immune Response
Beyond inhibiting bacterial growth, Limosilactobacillus reuteri KUB-AC5 demonstrated the ability to enhance the immune response. UPEC can survive within macrophages, the immune cells responsible for engulfing and destroying bacteria. This survival allows UPEC to persist in the body and can make infections harder to treat. The study found that pretreatment of murine macrophages with viable KUB-AC5 significantly enhanced their ability to kill UPEC. Infected macrophages treated with the probiotic showed increased production of key immune mediators, such as nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α). These molecules play crucial roles in the body's immune response to infections.
 
Additionally, the study found that KUB-AC5 increased the expression of anti-inflammatory cytokines, such as interleukin-10 (IL-10), which helps to modulate the immune response and prevent excessive inflammation. This balanced approach to immunity - promoting bacterial killing while preventing overactive immune responses - suggests that KUB-AC5 could be an effective tool for managing UTI symptoms.
 
Implications for UTI Prevention and Treatment
The study's findings offer promising insights into the potential use of probiotics as a preventive measure against UTIs, particularly in individuals who are prone to recurrent infections. By preventing UPEC from adhering to and invading bladder cells, Limosilactobacillus reuteri KUB-AC5 could reduce the frequency of infections in at-risk populations, such as women with recurrent UTIs or patients with compromised immune systems.
 
Furthermore, the enhanced immune response observed in macrophages treated with KUB-AC5 indicates that this probiotic could be used alongside traditional treatments to improve patient outcomes. By bolstering the body’s natural defenses, KUB-AC5 might help to clear infections more quickly and reduce the need for antibiotics, which could, in turn, slow the development of antibiotic resistance.
 
Future Directions and Clinical Applications
While the study presents compelling evidence for the efficacy of Limosilactobacillus reuteri KUB-AC5 in vitro, further research is needed to confirm these results in clinical settings. Human trials will be necessary to determine the safety and effectiveness of KUB-AC5 as a probiotic treatment for UTIs.
 
Additionally, researchers are exploring whether KUB-AC5 could be delivered in different forms, such as oral supplements or vaginal suppositories, to maximize its benefits for UTI prevention.
 
This research also opens the door to further investigations into the use of probiotics in treating other infections caused by antibiotic-resistant bacteria. If KUB-AC5 proves successful in human trials, it could represent a significant breakthrough in the fight against antibiotic resistance.
 
Conclusion
The study findings present exciting possibilities for the future of UTI treatment. By inhibiting UPEC growth and enhancing the immune response, Limosilactobacillus reuteri KUB-AC5 has the potential to serve as both a preventive and therapeutic option for UTIs. As antibiotic resistance continues to rise, alternatives such as probiotics offer a promising path forward.
 
The study findings were published in the peer-reviewed journal Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology.
https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/cellular-and-infection-microbiology/articles/10.3389/fcimb.2024.1401462/full
 
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