Probiotics for COVID-19: AB-Biotics’ formula linked with positive outcomes in published study

12 Jan 2022 --- A clinical trial has found that a probiotic formulation from AB-Biotics, part of the Kaneka Group, exhibits “significant” positive effects in COVID-19 outpatients – possibly by influencing the gut-lung axis (GLA). Notably, AB21 was associated with reduced viral load, duration of symptoms and improved rate of remission.

“We currently have 24 additional license agreements under negotiation for AB21 distribution in different territories. We are also looking to increase the amount of scientific evidence behind the formulation, with an additional two human clinical trials in progress,” Miquel Angel Bonachera, executive director at AB Biotics, tells NutritionInsight.

He continues that this will help to advance the use of AB21 probiotic formulation in the fight against COVID-19 and other respiratory infections. “Plus, we are conducting more scientific studies to further define its mechanism of action against COVID-19.”

AB-Biotics’ long-term goal is now have AB21 approved as an over-the-counter (OTC) drug, including therapeutic claims

“We understand that this will take time. We have already requested fast track approval with the European Medicines Agency to develop the formulation as an OTC drug, and this will be the next step.” The participants were aged 18 to 60 years old and all recruited from a referral hospital in Mexico City. 

Standing out from other trials
The positive findings reported by this study are an “important step forward” in continued efforts to support COVID-19 patients, says lead author Dr. Pedro Gutiérrez-Castrellón.

He notes that few trials to date have found effective approaches for reducing symptom duration and viral load in COVID-19 outpatients. 

“Therefore, an oral probiotic that helps to reduce viral load, lung infiltrates and symptom duration – like the AB21 probiotic intervention trialed in this study – could help to support COVID-19 outpatients more cost-effectively, and in addition to standard recognized therapies,” Gutiérrez-Castrellón continues.

Rapid market expansion
Now published in Gut Microbes, the study examined the impacts of AB21, which is comprised of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum strains (KABP022, KABP023 and KABP033) and Pediococcus acidilactici strain (KABP021).

Bonachera explains that the AB21 probiotic formulation has initially been developed as a food supplement, as it is the fastest and simplest way to reach patients. 

Notably, it is already being marketed in countries across Europe, including the UK (Probio7 AB21) by Forever Young Health, Germany (Panabiotics AB21) by Dr. Kade, as well as France (Xebe-V AB21), Spain (Xebevir AB21) and Italy (Xebevir AB21) by Zambon. 

“We’re pleased to say that another 14 markets are also registering AB21 and will soon be on the market, too,” adds Bonachera. 

He continues that the formulation has a “unique” capacity for stimulating Peyer’s plaques – the lymphoid follicles found throughout the small intestine. 

“This mechanism of action has been fully defined by our R&D team and we have filed a patent for the ingredient. While other probiotics may have similar capabilities in the future, we have found the results to be strain-dependent – with only the AB21 probiotic formulation producing the same results so far.”Study products (probiotic or placebo) were given in coded, anonymous boxes and were indistinguishable in form, color and taste. 

Remission rates leap
The once-daily supplement was administered for 30 days to 293 COVID-19 outpatients with mild symptoms. 

After the intervention, complete remission was achieved by 53.1% of patients in the probiotic group and 28.1% in the placebo group. Probiotic supplementation also reduced nasopharyngeal viral load, lung infiltrates, and duration of digestive and non-digestive symptoms compared to the placebo group. It was also well-tolerated by participants

No notable compositional changes were detected in fecal microbiota, but the probiotic supplementation did significantly increase specific IgM and IgG antibodies against SARS-CoV2.

The researchers also flag that the observed stimulation of humoral immunity is unlikely to be dependent on a particular viral variant – an interesting trait given the emergence of new viral variants.

Honing in on gut-lung axis
The GLA involves a sophisticated cross-talk between intestinal and pulmonary tissues via microbiome and immune cells. Over the last few years, it has become an area of increasing interest for investors – one example is Resbiotic landing US$3 million of seed funding for its probiotic formulations targeting lungs. 

According to the researchers, the study results suggest that AB21 influenced the GLA primarily via the host’s immune system rather than altering colonic microbiota composition. 

Further research is required to confirm the mechanism of action. Importantly, the probiotic immune effects reported in the study cannot be extrapolated to other probiotic formulations because of the specific strains used.

A burgeoning research area
The preliminary results from this double-blinded clinical trial were first released last March, when Jordi Riera, AB-Biotics’ business development director, told NutritionInsight that the product that commercialized this specific combination of strains is under discussion with 65 pharmaceutical and food supplement companies.

Other companies exploring the connection between COVID-19 outcomes and nutritional factors include Biosearch Life and ADM. 

Other scientists are flagging the further potential of various probiotics with general upper respiratory symptoms. For example, a study from May linked daily probiotic use with fewer upper respiratory symptoms in overweight and older people.

By Katherine Durrell