Methods And Compositions For The Dietary Management Of Autoimmune Disorders

Abstract

The present invention describes the use of lactic acid bacteria, particularly lactic acid producing members of the genus Bacillus , in treating digestive-related immune disorders by downregulating of cytokines and by inhibiting pathogenic or deleterious microorganisms in the gastrointestinal tract. Specific formulations of Bacillus coagulans for various immune disorders are elaborated.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of reducing a symptom of psoriasis, comprising identifying a patient suffering from or at risk of developing psoriasis, and orally administering to said patient a composition comprising  Bacillus coagulans  bacteria in an amount effective to reduce serum TNF-α levels in said patient. 
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said bacteria is  Bacillus coagulans  hammer. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein said bacteria is derived from  Bacillus coagulans  hammer strain Accession No. ATCC 31284. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said composition further comprises an antifungal agent. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein said antifungal agent is selected from the group consisting of clotrimazole, fluconazole, itraconazole, ketoconazole, miconazole, nystatin, terbinafine, terconazole, and tioconazole. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said symptom is selected from the group consisting of scaling, blistering, skin lesions, itchiness, and joint pain. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said composition further comprises an immunosuppressive agent. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein said immunosuppressive agent is selected from the group consisting of methotrexate, cyclosporine, hydroxyurea, mycophenolate mofetil, sulfasalazine, and 6-thioguanine. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said composition further comprises a retinoid. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said  Bacillus coagulans  bacteria are provided at a concentration of from about 1×10 8  to about 1×10 10  colony forming units of viable bacteria. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said  Bacillus coagulans  bacteria are provided at a concentration of from about 1×10 9  to about 2×10 9  colony forming units of viable bacteria. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the  Bacillus coagulans  bacteria are in the form of spores. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the  Bacillus coagulans  bacteria are in the form of vegetative cells. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said composition further comprises an antibiotic agent, wherein said antibiotic agent is selected from the group consisting of gentamicin, vancomycin, oxacillin, tetracycline, nitrofurantoin, chloramphenicol, clindamycin, trimethoprim, sulfamethoxasole, cefaclor, cefadroxil, cefixime, cefprozil, ceftriaxone, cefuroxime, cephalexin, loracarbef, ampicillin, amoxicillin clavulanate, bacampicillin, cloxicillin, penicillin VK, ciprofloxacin, grepafloxacin, levofloxacin, lomefloxacin, norfloxacin, ofloxacin, sparfloxacin, trovafloxacin, azithromycin, and erythromycin. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein said composition further comprises an anti-fungal agent. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said composition is orally administered about once every day for about 3 days. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said composition is orally administered about once every day for about 7 days. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said composition further comprises a vitamin, a mineral, or an antioxidant. 
     
     
         19 . A method of reducing a symptom of Crohn's Disease comprising identifying a patient suffering from or at risk of developing Crohn's Disease, and orally administering to said patient a composition comprising  Bacillus coagulans  bacteria in an amount effective to reduce serum TNF-α levels in said patient. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein said bacteria is  Bacillus coagulans  hammer. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein said bacteria is derived from  Bacillus coagulans  hammer strain Accession No. ATCC 31284. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein said  Bacillus coagulans  bacteria are provided at a concentration of from about 1×10 8  to about 1×10 10  colony forming units of viable bacteria. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein said  Bacillus coagulans  bacteria are provided at a concentration of from about 1×10 9  to about 2×10 9  colony forming units of viable bacteria. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the  Bacillus coagulans  bacteria are in the form of spores. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the  Bacillus coagulans  bacteria are in the form of vegetative cells. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein said symptom is selected from the group consisting of diarrhea, abdominal pain, rectal bleeding, fever, nausea, weight loss, lethargy and loss of appetite. 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein said composition is orally administered about once every day for about 3 days. 
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein said composition is orally administered about once every day for about 7 days. 
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein said composition further comprises a vitamin, a mineral, or an antioxidant. 
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein said bacteria is GBI-20 (ATCC Designation Number PTA-6085). 
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein said bacteria is GBI-30 (ATCC Designation Number PTA-6086). 
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein said bacteria is GBI-40 (ATCC Designation Number PTA-6087). 
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein said bacteria is GBI-20 (ATCC Designation Number PTA-6085). 
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein said bacteria is GBI-30 (ATCC Designation Number PTA-6086). 
     
     
         35 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein said bacteria is GBI-40 (ATCC Designation Number PTA-6087).