DSM 14241
A probiotic strain of human origin with a complete glutathione system
Scientific information on the ME-3® strain for formulators and for R&D, quality and regulatory professionals: identity, mechanism of action, production and the published research.
Identity
Mechanism
ME-3 is one of the few probiotic strains in which a complete glutathione system has been described: the strain synthesises glutathione, takes it up from its environment and recycles it through glutathione peroxidase and glutathione reductase activity (Kullisaar 2010, in vitro). It also expresses manganese superoxide dismutase. In a screening study on more than 200 lactobacilli and bifidobacteria strains, ME-3 showed the highest antioxidant activity (Mikelsaar 2009, in vitro).
In human studies, intake of ME-3 was associated with changes in blood markers of antioxidant status: total antioxidative activity and status (TAA, TAS), the glutathione redox ratio, oxidised LDL and paraoxonase activity (Kullisaar 2003; Songisepp 2005; Kullisaar 2011). After 14 days of ME-3-fermented kefir, the serum signal corresponding to glutathione increased in an uncontrolled study (Rehema 2015).
ME-3 produces organic acids and showed high activity against Salmonella, Shigella sonnei and Helicobacter pylori strains in vitro (Hütt 2006; Mikelsaar 2008).
ME-3 tolerates gastric acidity and bile and adheres to intestinal mucosa (Mikelsaar 2009).
In an intestinal epithelial cell model, ME-3 prevented the increase in paracellular permeability caused by irinotecan or bacterial lipopolysaccharide and preserved tight-junction proteins (De Gregorio 2023, in vitro).
Production
ME-3 is produced by controlled fermentation and freeze-drying and supplied as a powder standardised on viable count, with maltodextrin as carrier. Two concentrations are available: 10 × 109 CFU/g for food applications and 100 × 109 CFU/g for dietary supplements. A tyndallized grade is available on request. Production in an FSSC 22000-certified facility.
In finished capsule products, ME-3 is stable for 24 months at room temperature. Storage conditions and shelf life of the powder: see technical data sheet.
ME-3 has been used in capsules, powder sachets and fermented dairy products (kefir, yoghurt, fermented goat milk). In human studies, daily intakes ranged from about 109 CFU (capsule studies) to 4 × 1010 CFU (kefir studies). Recommended daily dose for capsule products is 6 to 8 × 109 CFU/day. Technical data sheet, certificate of analysis and regulatory statements on request.
Research
Studies are grouped by topic. The evidence type is given for each: human, animal or in vitro. Full references are listed under Publications.
Controlled studies in healthy adults found higher total antioxidative activity and lower markers of lipid and lipoprotein oxidation after 3 weeks of ME-3 in fermented goat milk or capsules (Kullisaar 2003; Songisepp 2005). Comparable marker changes were measured in skin and blood in a controlled study in adults with mild-to-moderate atopic dermatitis (Kaur 2008), and with a multi-strain synbiotic containing ME-3 in adults colonised with H. pylori (Hütt 2009).
In a randomised placebo-controlled trial in 100 healthy adults, kefir with ME-3 lowered postprandial oxidised LDL, triglycerides and urinary 8-isoprostanes (Kullisaar 2011). In a randomised controlled trial in 164 adults with borderline-high LDL cholesterol and/or triglycerides, 8 weeks of kefir with ME-3 (8 × 109 CFU/day) reduced LDL-C by 5%, oxidised LDL by 6% and triglycerides by 17%, with significant differences versus control (Mikelsaar 2015).
Combination product
Studies with Reg'Activ Cholesterol, a formula combining ME-3 with other ingredients, report improvements in lipid, oxidised LDL and HbA1c markers (Kullisaar 2016; Rehema 2019; Kullisaar 2019).
In a double-blind placebo-controlled pilot, 8 weeks of kefir with ME-3 increased the richness and diversity of intestinal lactobacilli and overall microbiota diversity (Sepp 2018). Total faecal lactobacilli also increased after 3 weeks of ME-3 intake (Songisepp 2005).
In Caco-2 cell models, ME-3 prevented irinotecan- and LPS-induced barrier disruption and reduced pro-inflammatory cytokine release (De Gregorio 2023). In mice infected with Salmonella Typhimurium, ME-3 given alone reduced oxidative damage in the gut mucosa but not the infection itself (Truusalu 2004). Combined with the antibiotic ofloxacin, it improved pathogen clearance and reduced liver and spleen granulomas (Truusalu 2008; Truusalu 2010).
In diabetic db/db mice, 12 weeks of ME-3 reduced weight gain, improved glucose tolerance, lowered glycation products in kidneys and lungs and reduced liver fat accumulation (Guilbaud 2020).
Evidence
Antioxidative probiotic fermented goats' milk decreases oxidative stress-mediated atherogenicity in human subjects
Evaluation of the functional efficacy of an antioxidative probiotic in healthy volunteers
Successful management of mild atopic dermatitis in adults with probiotics and emollients
Double benefit claims for anti-microbial and anti-oxidative probiotic
Effects of a synbiotic product on blood antioxidative activity in subjects colonized with Helicobacter pylori
An antioxidant probiotic reduces postprandial lipemia and oxidative stress
Regulation of plasma lipid profile by Lactobacillus fermentum (probiotic strain ME-3 DSM14241) in a randomised controlled trial of clinically healthy adults
Proteomic proof that a probiotic elevates glutathione level in human serum
The use of probiotic L. fermentum ME-3 containing Reg'Activ Cholesterol supplement for 4 weeks has a positive influence on blood lipoprotein profiles and inflammatory cytokines: an open-label preliminary study
The effect of Lactobacillus fermentum ME-3 on the intestinal microbiota and urine polyamine content: a double-blind placebo-controlled pilot trial
Multi-targeted prevention of cardiovascular disease risk factors with Reg'Activ Cholesterol food supplement
The Reg'Activ Cholesterol positive effects in asymptomatic volunteers with borderline values of cardio-metabolic risk factors are sustainable in long-term run
Improvement of metabolic syndrome status by risk factors modifications with probiotic
The influence of antibacterial and antioxidative probiotic lactobacilli on gut mucosa in a mouse model of Salmonella infection
Eradication of Salmonella Typhimurium infection in a murine model of typhoid fever with the combination of probiotic Lactobacillus fermentum ME-3 and ofloxacin
Immunological, antioxidative, and morphological response in combined treatment of ofloxacin and Lactobacillus fermentum ME-3 probiotic in Salmonella Typhimurium murine model
The effect of Lactobacillus fermentum ME-3 treatment on glycation and diabetes complications
Characterisation and differentiation of lactobacilli by lectin typing
Antagonistic activity of probiotic lactobacilli and bifidobacteria against entero- and uropathogens
Complete glutathione system in probiotic Lactobacillus fermentum ME-3
Protective effect of Limosilactobacillus fermentum ME-3 against the increase in paracellular permeability induced by chemotherapy or inflammatory conditions in Caco-2 cell models
Intestinal microflora of Estonian and Swedish infants
Probiotics, oxidative stress, inflammation and diseases
Lactobacillus fermentum ME-3 - an antimicrobial and antioxidative probiotic
Biodiversity of intestinal lactic acid bacteria in the healthy population
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