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Nissle 1917

A probiotic toxic to intestinal cells

Several studies have shown the efficacy of probiotics in the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease

  • E. coli Nissle 1917 is an orally administered probiotic in some European countries. It is a therapeutic alternative for spacing the active periods of illness observed in patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD).
  • Researchers of the TOXALIM Unit (INRA, Toulouse) and the Centre of Physiopathology of Toulouse Purpan (INSERM) have shown that this probiotic produces a potentially toxic substance to the DNA of our gut cells dissociated from its anti-inflammatory activity.
  • These results show the importance of understanding the mechanisms of action of probiotics and, in this case, the risk-benefit ratio of a long-term use.

presseinfo

See the Press Article
Access the full text on the INRA national website (in French)

See also

  • Olier, M., I. Marcq, C. Salvador-Cartier et al. 2012. Genotoxicity of Escherichia coli Nissle 1917 strain cannot be dissociated from its probiotic activity. Gut Microbes 3:501-509.
  • Cuevas-Ramos, G., C. R. Petit, I. Marcq et al. 2010. Escherichia coli induces DNA damage in vivo and triggers genomic instability in mammalian cells. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 107:11537-11542.
  • Nougayrede, J.P., S. Homburg, F. Taieb et al. 2006. Escherichia coli induces DNA double-strand breaks in eukaryotic cells. Science 313:848-851.

Modification date : 08 June 2023 | Publication date : 20 December 2012 | Redactor : Service Presse INRA