Reduction of oxidative stress factors

Abstract

The invention refers to the use of a bacterial strain, preferably of the genus Lactobacillus or Propionibacterium, giving rise to increased amounts of propionic acid in the gut for the manufacture of a medicament for reduction of the level of oxidative stress factors, such as IL-6, reactive oxygen species (ROS), and adhesion molecules in mammals including man. The medicament can be used for the prophylaxis and/or treatment of chronic inflammatory diseases such as rheumatic diseases and psoriasis.

1 - 10 . (canceled)  
     
     
         11 . A method of reducing a level of at least one oxidative stress factor in the blood of a mammal, comprising administering to a mammal in need thereof, in an amount sufficient to reduce said level, a composition comprising a strain of  Lactobacillus plantarum,  wherein said composition excludes a fermentation product of a  Lactobacillus plantarum  strain having catalase activity and superoxide dismutase activity with a manganese-containing natural material.  
     
     
         12 . The method according to  claim 11 , wherein the at least one oxidative stress factor is selected from the group consisting of IL-1, IL-6, IL-8, 8-isoprostaglandin, vascular cell adhesion molecule, and intracellular adhesion molecule.  
     
     
         13 . The method according to  claim 11 , wherein the at least one oxidative stress is a reactive oxygen species.  
     
     
         14 . The method according to  claim 11 , wherein the at least one oxidative stress factor is produced by at least one member selected from the group consisting of monocytes and lymphocytes.  
     
     
         15 . The method according to  claim 11 , wherein the mammal in need thereof has at least one inflammatory disease or symptoms thereof.  
     
     
         16 . The method according to  claim 15 , wherein the at least one inflammatory disease is selected from the group consisting of atherosclerosis, rheumatic disease, and psoriasis.  
     
     
         17 . The method according to  claim 11 , wherein the strain of  Lactobacillus plantarum  is  Lactobacillus plantarum  299v.  
     
     
         18 . A method of increasing a level of the fecal concentration of propionic acid in a mammal, comprising administering to a mammal in need thereof, in an amount sufficient to increase said level, a composition comprising a strain of  Lactobacillus plantarum,  wherein said composition excludes a fermentation product of a  Lactobacillus plantarum  strain having catalase activity and superoxide dismutase activity with a manganese-containing natural material.  
     
     
         19 . The method according to  claim 18 , wherein the mammal in need thereof has at least one inflammatory disease or symptoms thereof.  
     
     
         20 . The method according to  claim 19 , wherein the at least one inflammatory disease is selected from the group consisting of atherosclerosis, rheumatic disease, and psoriasis.  
     
     
         21 . The method according to  claim 18 , wherein the strain of  Lactobacillus plantarum  is  Lactobacillus plantarum  299v.  
     
     
         22 . A method of reducing a level of adhesion of monocytes to endothelial cells in a mammal, comprising administering to a mammal in need thereof, in an amount sufficient to reduce said level, a composition comprising a strain of  Lactobacillus plantarum,  wherein said composition excludes a fermentation product of a  Lactobacillus plantarum  strain having catalase activity and superoxide dismutase activity with a manganese-containing natural material.  
     
     
         23 . The method according to  claim 22 , wherein the mammal in need thereof has at least one inflammatory disease or symptoms thereof.  
     
     
         24 . The method according to  claim 23 , wherein the at least one inflammatory disease is selected from the group consisting of atherosclerosis, rheumatic disease, and psoriasis.  
     
     
         25 . The method according to  claim 22 , wherein the strain of  Lactobacillus plantarum  is  Lactobacillus plantarum  299v.  
     
     
         26 . A method of treating an inflammatory or proinflammatory disease that is induced by  Chlamydia pneumoniae, Helicobacter pylori,  or nicotine, comprising administering to a mammal in need thereof, in an amount sufficient to reduce inflammation, a composition comprising a strain of  Lactobacillus plantarum,  wherein said composition excludes a fermentation product of a  Lactobacillus plantarum  strain having catalase activity and superoxide dismutase activity with a manganese-containing natural material.  
     
     
         27 . The method according to  claim 26 , wherein the strain of  Lactobacillus plantarum  is  Lactobacillus plantarum  299v.