The Effect of Colostral Antibodies and Lactobacilli on Helicobacter Infection

Helicobacter pylori infection is the most common cause of gastritis, gastric ulcer and adenocarcinoma. H. pylori infection has proven difficult to cure because of its site of colonization in gastric mucus and capability to develop strains resistant to antibiotics. Typically, a triple therapy is used to treat H. pylori infection, but only 80 % of cases are eradicated (1). By immunizing a cow it is possible to produce specific antibodies against microbes. These antibodies have proven effective in preventing many gastrointestinal diseases (2). Probiotic bacteria are often used in fermented dairy products because of their beneficial effects on human health. Some probiotic bacteria, especially Lactobacilli, can inhibit H. pylori growth and colonization. Probiotic bacteria like L. rhamnosus GG also reduce the side effects of antibiotic treatment (3).The aim of this study is to investigate whether it is possible to prevent and control Helicobacter infection by oral administration of specific bovine colostrum derived antibodies and/or probiotic Lactobacillus strains.

In our first study (4) it was demonstrated that a colostral immune preparation (IP) containing specific antibodies against H. felis prevented but did not eradicate an experimental H. felis infection in mice. The IP combined with amoxicillin lowered the level of inflammation and colonization more than amoxicillin alone. In our second study (5) it was shown that Lb. plantarum MLBPL1 isolated from sauerkraut has anti-Helicobacter activity mainly associated with cell wall, from where it is probably extracted into the culture supernatant. In our current study (unpublished) we have shown that colostral preparations and probiotic bacteria (Lb. plantarum MLBPL1 and L. rhamnosus GG) reduce the adhesion of H. pylori on human gastric adenocarcinoma cells. They also reduce the IL-8 production of the infected cells. IL-8 secretion is a primary response to H. pylori infection.

In view of the rapid spread of antibiotic resistant H. pylori strains, supplementation of an antibiotic treatment with a food product containing probiotic Lactobacilli and/or IP could offer a potential complementary means to suppress H. pylori infection.