L. crispatus is a great probiotic for female urogenital health.

Introduction

Lactobacilli inhabiting the human vagina are the first line of defense in the female urogenital and reproductive tracts. Lactobacillus crispatus is prevalent in the healthy cervicovaginal microbiota, where it produces lactic acid, a potent broad spectrum bactericide and virucide, and acts as an immunomodulatory agent (R).

Health Benefits of L. crispatus

1) L. crispatus Promotes Female Urogenital Health

L. crispatus maintains normal vaginal microbiota and protects the genitourinary tract against pathological conditions (R).

L. crispatus reduces recurrent urinary tract infections in premenopausal women (R).

L. crispatus inhibits Chlamydia trachomatis, the most common sexually transmitted bacterial pathogen, in human epithelial cells and macrophages (R,R).

L. crispatus promotes defense against Candida albicans infection (R,R).

L. crispatus inhibits E. coli activity (R).

Cervicovaginal mucus with high L. crispatus concentrations can trap the HIV virus (R).

2) L. crispatus May Alleviate Allergies

Oral ingestion of L. crispatus alleviates allergic rhinitis in mice via the adjustment of the Th1/Th2 balance (R,R,R).

3) L. crispatus has Differential Effects on the GI Tract

L. crispatus can ameliorate colitis in mice (R), however, a specific strain, M206119, exacerbates intestinal inflammation (R).

4) L. crispatus May Have Anti-Cancer Properties

L. crispatus inhibits proliferation of breast cancer cells (R), human cervical and colon adenocarcinoma cells (R).

Technical

• L. crispatus increases (R,R) and decreases IL-6 (R).
• L. crispatus decreases IL-8 (R,R,R) and IL-4 (R).
• L. crispatus increases IL-10 (R,R) and IL-12p70 (R).
• L. crispatus decreases TNF-α (R).
• L. crispatus induces NF-κB activation (R).
• L. crispatus increases IgA (R) and decreases IgE (R).
• L. crispatus increases CD4(+) CD25(+) FOXP3(+) Treg cells (R).

Safety

L. crispatus was shown to be safe in women treated for bacterial vaginosis (R,R). Mild inflammation of the urinary tract was noted in some women (R).