New Data On The Probiotic Strain Bifantis(R) Shows Anti-Inflammatory Properties And Increased Health Benefits

The biotechnology company Alimentary
Health today announced results from two studies that demonstrate the
anti-inflammatory activity of a natural probiotic bacterial strain of human
origin, Bifantis(R) (Bifidobacterium infantis 35624), in models of
arthritis and Salmonella infection. Data from these studies were presented
this week at the 38th annual Digestive Disease Week (DDW) conference taking
place in Washington D.C.


The inflammatory response is a key part of the immune system's battle
against invaders, but in certain conditions and diseases, it can do more
harm than good by injuring healthy tissue. Inflammation is associated with
a variety of conditions, such as inflammatory bowel disease, arthritis,
cardiovascular disease, diabetes, Alzheimer's disease and more. Bifantis
has previously been shown to modulate the inflammatory response in a
clinical trial in irritable bowel syndrome. The results announced this week
demonstrate that the anti-inflammatory effects of Bifantis are not
restricted to the gastrointestinal tract.



"Inflammation is a major factor in a number of chronic diseases, which
affect millions of people," said Barry Kiely, Chief Executive Officer,
Alimentary Health and an early investigator of the probiotic effects of
Bifantis. "Data continue to show that Bifantis has anti-inflammatory
activity, which may be useful in the management of inflammation-linked
diseases."



In one of the studies released today, four bacterial strains were fed
to mice. Of these four strains, researchers determined that only Bifantis
delayed the onset of artificially induced arthritis and resulted in less
severe arthritic symptoms. This study represents some of the latest work
assessing the link between diet involving probiotics and certain autoimmune
diseases.



In the second study, mice were fed Bifantis and then exposed to
Salmonella, a common bacteria associated with a form of food poisoning.
Animals that received Bifantis showed dramatically increased numbers of
certain immune cells that control the immune system's response to harmful
pathogens, in this case Salmonella. Bifantis also increased the numbers of
T- regulatory cells in the body, in effect limiting the concentrations of
certain signals essential to inflammation, such as cytokines.



About Alimentary Health



Alimentary Health is a development stage specialty biotechnology
company linked to the Alimentary Pharmabiotic Centre based at University
College Cork, Cork, Ireland. Alimentary Health is focused on the discovery,
development and commercialization of proprietary treatments for
gastrointestinal disorders and other inflammatory conditions.



About APC



The Alimentary Pharmabiotic Centre (APC) is a Science Foundation
Ireland (SFI) funded research centre headquartered in University College
Cork (UCC), with scientists and clinicians also based in Teagasc Moorepark,
Cork University Hospital and Alimentary Health Ltd. The APC is
investigating mechanisms by which intestinal bacteria influence health and
disease and is developing new therapies for lifelong debilitating
gastrointestinal diseases such as gastroenteritis, ulcerative colitis and
Crohn's disease. For information please visit apc.ucc.ie/.


Alimentary Health

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