Bifidobacteria for treating diabetes and related conditions

Abstract

This invention relates to new uses of Bifidobacteria (particularly, although not exclusively, probiotic Bifidobacteria), and to food products, feed products, dietary supplements and pharmaceutical formulations containing them. The bacteria are suitable for the treatment of diabetes (particularly Type 2 diabetes), obesity and related conditions, metabolic syndrome, insulin resistance, and impaired glucose metabolism and consequences thereof, lowering tissue inflammation, treating hepatitis, myositis and cardiovascular conditions.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0001]This invention relates to new uses of Bifidobacteria (particularly, although not exclusively, probiotic Bifidobacteria), and to food products, feed products, dietary supplements and pharmaceutical formulations containing them.DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART[0002]Diabetes mellitus, often referred to simply as diabetes, is a condition characterized by disordered metabolism and abnormally high blood sugar (hyperglycaemia) resulting from insufficient levels and / or action of the hormone insulin. The characteristic symptoms are excessive urine production (polyuria) due to high blood glucose levels, excessive thirst and increased fluid intake (polydipsia) attempting to compensate for increased urination, blurred vision due to high blood glucose effects on the eye's optics, unexplained weight loss, and lethargy. These symptoms are likely to be less apparent if the blood sugar is only mildly elevated.[0003]The World Health Organisation recognises three main forms of ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0105]When Bifidobacteria are used in the present invention together with Lactobacilli, the bacteria may be present in any ratio capable of achieving the desired effects of the invention described herein. Typically, the Bifidobacteria to Lactobacilli ratio (measured in terms of colony forming units) is in the range 1:100 to 100:1, suitably 1:50 to 50:1, preferably 1:20 to 20:1, more preferably 1:10 to 10:1, still more preferably 1:5 to 5:1, yet more preferably 1:3 to 3:1 and even more preferably 1:2 to 2:1 and most preferably 1:1.5 to 1.5:1. In a particular example, the Bifidobacteria to Lactobacilli ratio is 1:1.

[0106]In particular, when Bifidobacteria animalis subsp. lactis strain 420 (B420) bacteria are used in the present invention together with Lactobacillus acidophilus strain NCFM bacteria, the bacteria may be present in any ratio capable of achieving the desired effects of the invention described herein. Typically, the ratio of Bifidobacteria animalis subsp. lactis strain 420 to Lactobacillus acidophilus strain NCFM (measured in terms of colony forming units) is in the range is in the range 1:100 to 100:1, suitably 1:50 to 50:1, preferably 1:20 to 20:1, more preferably 1:10 to 10:1, still more preferably 1:5 to 5:1, yet more preferably 1:3 to 3:1 and even more preferably 1:2 to 2:1 and most preferably 1:1.5 to 1.5:1. In a particular example, the Bifidobacteria animalis subsp. lactis strain 420 to Lactobacillus acidophilus strain NCFM ratio is 1:1.Subjects / Medical Indications

[0107]The Bifidobacteria (and, if present, the Lactobacilli) to which the present invention relates are administered to a mammal, including for example livestock (including cattle, horses, pigs, chickens and sheep), and humans. In some aspects of the present invention the mammal is a companion animal (including pets), such as a dog or a cat for instance. In some aspects of the present invention, the subject may suitably be a human.

[0108]The Bifidobacteria (and, if present, the Lactobacilli) to which the present invention relates may be suitable for treating a number of diseases or conditions in mammals (particularly humans). In this specification the term “treatment” or “treating” refers to any administration of the Bifidobacteria (and, if present, Lactobacilli) according to the present invention and includes: (1) preventing the specified disease from occurring in a mammal which may be predisposed to the disease but does not yet experience or display the pathology or symptomatology of the disease (including prevention of one or more risk factors associated with the disease); (2) inhibiting the disease in a mammal that is experiencing or displaying the pathology or symptomatology of the diseased (La, arresting further development of the pathology and / or symptomatology), or (3) ameliorating the disease in a mammal that is experiencing or displaying the pathology or symptomatology of the diseased (La, reversing the pathology and / or symptomatology).

[0109]The Bifidobacteria to which the present invention relates are suitable for administration to both diabetic and obese mammals. They could also be suitable for diabetic and non-obese mammals, as well as to obese mammals possessing the risk factors for diabetes, but not yet in a diabetic state. This aspect is discussed in more detail below.

[0110]In particular, the use of Bifidobacteria according to the present invention is suitable for the treatment of mammals ingesting a high-fat diet. This aspect is discussed in more detail below.

Problems solved by technology

This causes a need for abnormally high amounts of insulin and diabetes develops when the beta cells cannot meet this demand.

Diabetes can cause many complications.

Acute complications (hypoglycemia, ketoacidosis or nonketotic hyperosmolar coma) may occur if the disease is not adequately controlled.

Serious long-term complications include cardiovascular disease (doubled risk), chronic renal failure, retinal damage (which can lead to blindness), nerve damage (of several kinds), and microvascular damage, which may cause impotence and poor healing.

Poor healing of wounds, particularly of the feet, can lead to gangrene, which may require amputation.

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