The effect of Lactobacillus fermentum ME-3 on the intestinal microbiota and urine polyamines content: A double-blind placebo-controlled pilot trial

Abstract

The aim of present study was to evaluate the effects of the probiotic Lactobacillus fermentum ME-3 on composition of gut microbiota and urine polyamines level. The healthy volunteers were divided into two groups: probiotic group received kefir with L. fermentum ME-3 and control group regular kefir both for 8 weeks. The lactoflora was determined by bacteriological method, gut microbiota by real-time PCR and urine polyamines level by gas-chromatography. In probiotic group there was an increase in the richness (p = 0.025), diversity (p = 0.017) and counts (p = 0.003) of lactoflora. That was associated with the increase of the diversity of the whole gut microbiota (p = 0.003). After probiotic consumption the level of urine putrescine had negative correlation with counts of lactobacilli (r = −0.424; p = 0.0083) and bifidobacteria (r = −0.415; p = 0.00983). L. fermentum ME-3 has potential to lower the risk of gut diseases that are bound with lower richness and diversity of gut microbiota and higher putrescine level.