Use of microorganisms for the prevention and treatment of intestinal diseases

Abstract

The invention relates to acetylcholine-producing microorganisms for use in the prevention and/or treatment of intestinal diseases, and/or reduction of risks of intestinal diseases, and/or improvement of intestinal health as well as promoting healthy gut flora. The acetylcholine-producing microorganisms may be provided as a pharmaceutical dosage form or as additive to functional food or food supplemental products. Also encompassed is a method for the production of acetylcholine by use of Lactobacilli . Further the invention refers to microbially produced acetylcholine for use in the treatment and/or prevention of intestinal diseases.

1 . An acetylcholine-producing microorganism for medical use in the prevention and/or treatment of intestinal diseases, and/or reduction of risk of intestinal diseases. 
     
     
         2 . The acetylcholine-producing microorganism for use according to  claim 1 , for maintaining and/or promoting a healthy gut flora and/or reducing the toxic effects of the digestive process and/or stimulating the digestive system and/or improving intestinal control. 
     
     
         3 . The acetylcholine-producing microorganism for use according to  claim 1 , wherein the intestinal disease is a functional intestinal disorder and/or a disorder associated with the secretions of the intestinal wall controlled by the enteric nervous system, in particular functional constipation, functional diarrhea and/or irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), more particular constipation predominant IBS, alternating IBS or diarrhea predominant IBS. 
     
     
         4 . The acetylcholine-producing microorganism for use according to  claim 1 , wherein the intestinal disease is an inflammatory bowel disease, in particular ulcerative colitis and/or Crohn's disease. 
     
     
         5 . The acetylcholine-producing microorganism for use according to  claim 1 , wherein the microorganism produces ≧30 mg/kg acetylcholine under suitable culture conditions. 
     
     
         6 . The acetylcholine-producing microorganism for use according to  claim 1 , wherein the microorganism is a bacterium. 
     
     
         7 . The acetylcholine-producing microorganism for use according to  claim 1 , wherein the microorganism is a  Lactobacillus  strain, in particular a  Lactobacillus sanfranciscensis  strain, a  Lactobacillus rossiae  strain, a  Lactobacillus brevis  strain or a  Lactobacillus plantarum  strain, more particularly strains DSM 23090 or DSM 23093. 
     
     
         8 . The acetylcholine-producing microorganism for use according to  claim 1 , wherein the  Lactobacillus  is selected from any one of strains DSM 26024, DSM 23090, DSM 23091, DSM 23200, DSM 23092, DSM 23093, DSM 23201, DSM 23174 and DSM 23121 or a strain cultivated therefrom. 
     
     
         9 . The acetylcholine-producing microorganism for use according to  claim 1  in a pharmaceutical dosage form, in a functional food or in a functional beverage. 
     
     
         10 . The acteylcholine-producing microorganism for use according to  claim 9 , wherein the functional food is sourdough bread. 
     
     
         11 . The acetylcholine-producing microorganism for use according to  claim 9 , further comprising at least one additional bacterium for maintaining and/or restoring a favorable gut flora. 
     
     
         12 . The acetylcholine-producing microorganism for use according to  claim 9 , further comprising at least one additional medicament for the treatment of intestinal diseases. 
     
     
         13 . A method for the production of acetylcholine by use of  lactobacilli , particularly by the use of  lactobacilli  selected from  Lactobacillus sanfranciscensis  and  Lactobacillus rossiae  strains. 
     
     
         14 . A method for the treatment and/or prevention of intestinal diseases, in a patient in need of such, comprising orally administering microbially produced acetylcholine to said patient. 
     
     
         15 . Non-medical use of an acetylcholine-producing microorganism for maintenance and/or improvement of intestinal health. 
     
     
         16 . (canceled)