Potential of Maintaining a Healthy Vaginal Environment by TwoLactobacillusStrains Isolated from Cocoa Fermentation

Abstract

Bacteria in the genera Mycoplasma and Ureaplasma do not have cell walls and therefore interact with host cells through lipid-associated membrane proteins (LAMP). These lipoproteins are important for both surface adhesion and modulation of host immune responses. Mycoplasma and Ureaplasma have been implicated in cases of bacterial vaginosis (BV), which can cause infertility, abortion, and premature delivery. In contrast, bacteria of the genus Lactobacillus, which are present in the vaginal microbiota of healthy women, are thought to inhibit local colonization by pathogenic microorganisms. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the in vitro interactions between lipoproteins of Mycoplasma and Ureaplasma species and vaginal lineage (HMVII) cells and to study the effect of Lactobacillus isolates from cocoa fermentation on these interactions. The tested Lactobacillus strains showed some important probiotic characteristics, with autoaggregation percentages of 28.55% and 31.82% for L. fermentum FA4 and L. plantarum PA3 strains, respectively, and percent adhesion values of 31.66 and 41.65%, respectively. The two strains were hydrophobic, with moderate to high hydrophobicity values, 65.33% and 71.12% for L. fermentum FA4 and L. plantarum PA3 in toluene. Both strains secreted acids into the culture medium with pH=4.32 and pH=4.33, respectively, and showed antibiotics susceptibility profiles similar to those of other lactobacilli. The strains were also able to inhibit the death of vaginal epithelial cells after incubation with U. parvum LAMP from 41.03% to 2.43% (L. fermentum FA4) and 0.43% (L. plantarum PA3) and also managed to significantly decrease the rate of cell death caused by the interaction with LAMP of M. hominis from 34.29% to 14.06% (L. fermentum FA4) and 14.61% (L. plantarum PA3), thus demonstrating their potential for maintaining a healthy vaginal environment.

Evaluation of the Inhibitory Effects of Lactobacillus gasseri and Lactobacillus crispatus on the Adhesion of Seven Common Lower Genital Tract Infection-Causing Pathogens to Vaginal Epithelial Cells

“…However, the degree of the inhibitory effects of these strains on pathogen adhesion was not consistent. The current observations partially elucidated the mechanisms by which Lactobacillus preparations successfully antagonized pathogenic infections in clinical trials and showed that these effects were different (9,25,33).…”

“…These results indicated that the source of the VECs could affect the adhesion of the same Lactobacillus. The results could explain the differences in the effectiveness of Lactobacillus preparations in different populations (9,25,33) and the necessity of clinical trials to verify the antipathogenic effects of Lactobacillus preparations. The descending order of the five Lactobacillus strains based on the strongest adhesion to both types of VECs was 4#, 3#, 5#, 2#, and 1# (Figure 1).…”

Vaginal Probiotics for Reproductive Health and Related Dysbiosis: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

“…Accordingly, more probiotic interventional studies have been conducted on reproductive failures with lactobacilli imbalance, such as adverse pregnancy outcomes [ 16 ], a significant decrease in endometrial implantation [ 36 ], and altered IVF outcomes [ 62 , 63 ]. The Lactobacillus genus has optimal probiotic properties, including high hydrophobicity and self-regulation, adhesion to epithelial cells and acid production [ 64 ], and restoration of healthy urogenital microbiota [ 65 , 66 , 67 ]. In this systematic review, combinations of Lactobacillus strains were also administered in most studies, as L. acidophilus KS400 was present in all formulae administered as single probiotic strain.…”

Local Probiotic Lactobacillus crispatus and Lactobacillus delbrueckii Exhibit Strong Antifungal Effects Against Vulvovaginal Candidiasis in a Rat Model

“…The vaginal microbiota in most healthy women of reproductive-age is dominated by protective Lactobacillus species that are thought to reinforce the defense against invasion and colonization by pathogenic microorganisms (Melgaço et al, 2018). In women with vaginal infections, such as BV and VVC, the dominance of these Lactobacilli is compromised (Sobel, 2007).…”