Lactobacillus GG possesses the ability to identify and to actively latch onto the structures on the surface of human intestinal cells.
Microscopic finger-like structures, called pili, help GG probiotic stick onto the intestinal surface. Pili (arrows) on Lactobacillus GG as seen under an electron microscope. [Kankainen et al 2009] Compared to other probiotic strains, LACTOGG®’s probiotic strain possesses the greatest ability to attach to human intestinal cell surface whether in health or during illness. Studies have also demonstrated Lactobacillus GG’s superior ability to colonise the intestine in all ages - ranging from premature infants and newborn babies to the elderly. The ability of different probiotic strains to attach to intestinal surface. [Ouwehand et al. 2004] This ability to stick onto the intestinal surface gives this probiotic bacterium superior capability to colonise the human intestinal tract. A probiotic needs to survive to stick onto the intestinal surface. The more it sticks on, the more it colonises. Does LACTOGG® pass this test? Yes. LACTOGG® is a great coloniser because it is stable enough to survive and stick onto the intestinal surface. References: Goldin BR et al. Survival of Lactobacillus species (strain GG) in human gastrointestinal tract. Dig Dis Sci 1992;37:121-128 Kankainen M et al. Comparative genomic analysis of Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG reveals pili containing a human-mucus binding protein. PNAS 2009;106(40):17193-17198 Ouwehand AC et al. Influence of the endogenous mucosal microbiota on the adhesion of probiotic bacteria in vitro. Microbial Ecology in Health and Disease 2004;16(4):202-204. |