Lactobacillus fermentum ME-3 – a probiotic with potential for anti-atherogenic, anti-oxidative and anti-diabetic application

Abstract

Lactobacilli are normal inhabitants of human microbiota. Recent excellent review focused on huge practical potential of Lactobacillus fermentum, Lf ME-3 [1]. Especially valuable is information about the Lf strains that have in addition to common properties also the strainspecific beneficial effects on the host. A number of studies (in vitro, clinical randomized trials, clinical randomized double blind trials) have highlighted that human origin Lactobacillus fermentum ME-3 (DSM14241, LfME-3) has several specific properties including antiatherogenic and anti-oxidative effects, possible anti-diabetic influence, ability to manage multiple protective systems like superoxide dismutase, glutathione system, etc [2-4]. For example, probiotic Lf ME-3 has two special enzymes needed for the redox cycle of glutathione (glutathione peroxidase and glutathione reductase) confirmed by the immunohistochemical method [5]. Beside that Lf ME-3 has glutamyl cystein ligase genes and glycine transporters (MiSeq, Illumina) both are needed to operate glutathione system and glutathione recycling. In addition, use of the Lf ME-3-fermented kefir for 14 days to 43 human subjects results in increase of the peak at m/z 308 (corresponding to glutathione) in the serum established by using MALDI-TOF mass spectrometer [6].