Efficacy and Safety of MED-01 Probiotics on Vaginal Health: A 12-Week, Multicenter, Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial.

Sung-Ho Park, Eun Sil Lee, Sung Taek Park, Soo Young Jeong, Yeoul Yun, YongGyeong Kim, Yulah Jeong, Chang-Ho Kang, Hyun Jin Choi

Journal: Nutrients 2023;15(2):331

PMID: 36678202

Plain Language Summary

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Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is characterised by the depletion of lactic acid bacteria and overgrowth of certain anaerobic and facultative bacteria leading to an imbalance in the vagina. The high recurrence rate of BV results in repeated exposure to antibiotics and the emergence of drug-resistant bacteria. The aim of this study to evaluate the efficacy of MED-01 [a complex that includes five probiotic strains] on vaginal health and safety This study was a 12-week, randomised, multicentre, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial with two parallel groups receiving either MED-01 or placebo capsules. Results showed that MED-01 intake significantly reduces the Nugent score, a discriminant index of BV, and alleviates symptoms which may appear in BV without any adverse events. Additionally, MED-01 increased the proportion of beneficial Lactobacilli and diminished the harmful BV-causing pathogens. However, there was no significant change in vaginal microbiota. Authors conclude that their findings suggest the possibility of using MED-01 as a new and safe functional probiotic for women with symptoms of BV.

Abstract

Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is the most common disease in women of childbearing age and is caused by the growth of abnormal microbiota in the vagina. Probiotic consumption can be an effective alternative treatment to preserve or improve vaginal health. In the present study, MED-01, a complex of five strains of probiotic candidates isolated from the vagina of Korean women, was used. This study was designed as a 12-week, randomized, multicenter, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial to evaluate the efficacy and safety of MED-01 on vaginal health. A total of 101 reproductive-aged women with a Nugent score of 4-6 took MED-01 (5.0 × 10 CFU) or a placebo once a day, and 76 participants completed the procedure. MED-01 significantly reduced the Nugent score compared with the placebo. Quantitative PCR analysis confirmed that was significantly increased in the vagina, whereas harmful bacteria such as spp., and were suppressed after 12 weeks of MED-01 ingestion. No adverse events to the test food supplements were observed in the participants. These results confirmed that MED-01 can be used as a probiotic for treating BV, as it improves the vaginal microbiota.

Address: Hallym University Kangnam Sacred Heart Hospital, 665 Siheung-daero, Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul 07442, Republic of Korea.; Soonchunhyang University Seoul Hospital, 59 Daesagwan-ro, Yongsan-gu, Seoul 04401, Republic of Korea.; Mediogen, Co., Ltd., Biovalley 1-ro, Jecheon-si 27159, Chungcheongbuk-do, Republic of Korea.; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, College of Medicine Chung-Ang University, Chung-Ang University Gwangmyeong Hospital, 501 Iljik-dong, Gwangmyeong-si 14353, Gyeonggi-do, Republic of Korea.

Patient Centred Factor

Physical Environment

Clinical Imbalances

Laboratory Testing

Modifiable Lifestyle Factors

Jadad Score

Allocation Concealment

Nutrition Evidence Keywords

Bioactive Substances

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