Probi review details thirty years of extensive research on LP299V strain

10 Aug 2021 --- Discovered thirty years ago, a new review from Probi highlights that the LP299V bacterial strain, formerly known as Lactiplantibacillus plantarum 299v, is beneficial for gastrointestinal health, iron absorption and immune health.

The review aims to describe and discuss all published research studies (up until June 2020) concerning the effects of the strain.

“The research covers everything from safety and characterization, potential modes of action, in vivo trials as well as many clinical trials on healthy and diseased people in which health benefits have been proven on multiple indications such as IBS, IBD, inflammation and metabolic health,” Niklas Larsson, director of scientific affairs and IP at Probi tells NutritionInsight.

“The review paper contains 239 references to scientific papers, almost all including LP299V, and still, we continue to study the strain and publish new data.”

In vitro and animal studies have helped to better understand various characteristics of LP299V and reveal potential modes of action for results obtained in clinical studies.

It covers how this strain acts, the binding mechanism, the effects on the gut epithelium and mucus production.

Benefits of the LP299V strain
The data from the review shows benefits such as reduced flatulence and abdominal pain in subjects with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

Repeated studies have shown that intake of LP299V results in decreased severity and intensity of IBS symptoms such as abdominal pain, flatulence, bowel habits and bloating.The LP299V strain is beneficial for iron absorption, gut health and boosting immunity.

“The findings show the complexity of probiotic research, the impact a single probiotic strain (LP299V) can have on human health, as well as the need for high-quality clinical trial,” says Larsson.

“In addition, the multiple health benefits prove that there is a place on the market for well documented probiotic products and that regulators around the globe can or should facilitate the process giving consumers access to such products.”

LP299V has been shown to significantly increase iron absorption, likely due to an increase in iron bioavailability and recently to improve long-term iron status in healthy female athletes and non-anemic pregnant women.

The review also suggests that LP299V is a novel approach to preventing iron deficiency and anemia. In this space, LP299V was used in Probi’s iron supplement that aids in iron absorption in pregnant women.

Zooming in on gut health and immunity
The LP299V strain survives the harsh conditions of the human gastrointestinal tract, adheres to mannose residues on the intestinal epithelial cells and has in some cases been re-isolated more than ten days after administration ceased.

Focusing on digestion, Probi and a Swedish D2C company partnered to globally launch a probiotic supplement that targets gut health. The supplement contains LP299V with micronutrients and plant extracts.

Intake of LP299V has been shown to affect pathogen inhibition, intestinal barrier function and the immune system. For example, GoodBelly launched a quick-dissolving probiotic powder that contains strains of Lactobacillus plantarum HEAL9 and Lactobacillus paracasei 8700:2 and targets immunity.

By Nicole Kerr