MXPA99006384A - Pharmaceutical and alimentary compositions containing bacteria of the genus acetobacter - Google Patents

Abstract

Bacteria of the genus Acetobacter, in particular Acetobacter xylinum, are useful for the treatment of gastroenteral dysmicrobisms, gastroenteral acute and chronic infections and impairments of the gastroenteral functionality.

Description

PHARMACEUTICAL AND FOOD COMPOSITIONS CONTAINING GAS BACTERIA ACETOBACTER DESCRIPTIVE MEMORY The present invention relates to pharmaceutical and food compositions containing microorganisms of the genus Acetobacter. The use of microorganisms such as lactobacilli, Bactillus subtilis, Bifidobacteria, Enterococcus or Streptococcus faecium, in the therapy has been established for a long time, such use has been connected with studies of the favorable effects that derive from a diet based on yogurt or other foods based on fermented milk. The microorganisms that were listed above, whether in the form of pure culture dried by freezing or in aqueous suspension, are widely used in the pharmaceutical industry and are the active ingredient of formulations for the treatment of altered intestinal flora in connection with pathological conditions or with the use of antibiotics. On the other hand, the restoration of the intestinal bacterial flora is a complex problem when it is taken into account that the microorganisms present in the human intestine are a complex and delicate ecosystem; in each individual, more than 400-500 different bacterial species have been identified.

The composition of the intestinal physiological bacterial flora is relatively constant and the high number of species present, including anaerobic and aerobic bacteria, is due to the presence of a number of diverse sources of carbon and energy, which are available in the intestine as a substrate. The main representatives of the intestinal flora are gram-positive anaerobic bacteria, which belong to the genera Bacteroides, Bifidobacterium, Fusobacterium. Aerobic bacteria, which are found within the genus Acetobacter, represent only 5-1% of the intestinal microflora. The balance of the ecosystem is maintained thanks to the action of different factors, among which are intestinal peristalsis, secretions and immunological factors. The bacterial flora produces antibacterial and bacteriostatic substances such as colicins and short chain fatty acids, which prevent colonization by pathogenic microorganisms. The bacterial flora prevents pathogenic microorganisms from adhering to the intestinal walls and stimulates peristalsis while decreasing the density of the microbial load. The synergistic action between the different members of the bacterial flora is of great importance to exercise a control action that is not only a barrier function, since there is a close relationship between the intestinal immune system and the microbial mass, as can be seen in different studies. It has been discovered that the bacterium Acetobacter xylinum is particularly effective in restoring a normal bacterial flora after deterioration or pathological or iatrogenic alterations. Bacteria belonging to the genus Acetobacter are aerobic microorganisms (respiratory metabolism), gram-negative, sometimes variable, elliptical or cane-like, catalase-positive. The main characteristic of these bacteria is their ability to oxidize ethanol to an acetic acid. Most bacteria of the genus Acetobacter are capable of being used as a carbon source of different substrates, in addition to ethanol: glucose, lactate, acetate and mannitol. Bacteria of the genus Acetobacter are microorganisms that can be found in fruits, flowers, alcoholic beverages, and have never shown pathogenic activity against humans; on the contrary, they are present in the human intestine under physiological conditions. The acetic bacteria have an optimum temperature of around 30 ° C, where the optimum pH varies from 5 to 6. Another important characteristic of acetic bacteria is their ability to reproduce even in the presence of antibiotics. In addition, bacteria of the genus Acetobacter can multiply in the intestine thanks to its ability to survive in the presence of small amounts of O2.

Acetobacter xylinum is used in the pulp and paper industry; however, in the pharmaceutical area it continues to be an unknown product. Thus, the invention consists of pharmaceutical and food compositions containing Acetobacter xylinum as the active ingredient, in admixture with suitable vehicles. The compositions of the invention can be used for the treatment of gastroenterior pathologies such as diarrhea due to various causes, colitis, or for the prevention of side effects induced by concomitant treatments with antibiotics due to the composition of the altered intestinal flora. Compared with known formulations based on lactobacilli or anaerobic bacteria, the compositions of the invention have the advantage of a bacterial load markedly lower in their effectiveness. Doses of 104-05 bacteria for single dose applications are able to quickly resolve the aforementioned pathological conditions, although doses of 106-109 bacteria are suggested for Lactobacilli and their counterparts. In addition, Acetobacter xylinum, in the presence of glucose, produces cellulose fibrils that have a favorable effect on intestinal peristalsis. Acetobacter xylinum allows to adjust the intestinal pH while preventing the development of microorganisms and pathogenic fungi, and favors the elimination of toxic substances.

Strains of Acetobacter xylinum are available in reservoirs such as the ATCC, DSM and the Pasteur Institute or can be recovered with known techniques, as described for example in the Bergey's Manual of Systematic Bacteriology, Williams & amp; amp;; Wiikins Pub. Col., Vol. 1, pages 267-269, using suitable substrates and preferably apple juice or other fruit juices. The pharmaceutical compositions of the invention can be administered orally or rectally. For this purpose, suitable formulations are suspensions of bacteria in aqueous vehicles, capsules or sacks containing freeze dried bacteria, suppositories or microenemas. Some examples of the food compositions are juices, gelatins, fruit extracts or mousse in combination with freeze-dried Acetobacter xylinum or creams, sauces, dressings and the like. The following examples illustrate the invention in greater detail.

EXAMPLE 1 Capsules containing 103-106 cells are prepared Acetobacter xylinum ATCC 14851 dried by freezing in a glucose vehicle, and administered 2-3 times a day before meals.

EXAMPLE 2 Concentrated fruit juice ampoules equipped with a metering cap containing 103-106 Acetobacter xylinum cells.

EXAMPLE 3 Enemas for the extemporaneous preparation of mixtures of cells (103-106) of Acetobacter xylinum and sterilized water.

EXAMPLE 4 Cell suppositories (103-106) Acetobacter xylinum in a glucose medium and excipients.

Claims (6)

NOVELTY OF THE INVENTION CLAIMS

1. - Pharmaceutical compositions containing Acetobacter xylinum as the active ingredient, in admixture with suitable vehicles.

2. The compositions according to claim 1, further characterized in that their administration can be orally or rectally.

3. The compositions according to claim 2, further characterized in that they are in the form of capsules, sacks, suspensions. , suppositories or microenemas. 4.- Acetobacter xylinum to be used as a therapeutic agent. 5.- The use of Acetobacter xylinum for the preparation of medicines for the treatment of gastroenterior infections and deterioration of gastroenteral function. 6.- Food compositions containing Acetobacter xylinum. 1 - The compositions according to claim 6, in the form of jellies or fruit juices or extracts.