Inhibition of Epsilon Toxin-Producing Clostridium perfringens with a Juice-Based Probiotic Medical Food for Dietary Management of Multiple Sclerosis

Abstract

Abstract Background Multiple sclerosis (MS) is the most common disabling neurological disease in young adults, with symptom onset generally occurring between the ages of 20 and 40 years. Worldwide, there are 2.8 million people with MS, and in the United States, nearly 1 million. Currently, nine oral medications are FDA-approved for MS, each of which has its own undesirable side effects. The root cause of MS remains unknown, but epsilon toxin-producing C. perfringens is implicated as the trigger. Proving this trigger requires the ability to eliminate the bacteria or their toxic effect. As an element of the gut microbiome, epsilon toxin-producing C. perfringens may be managed through dietary interventions, but there is no specific dietary supplement or medical food currently available for this purpose. Materials and Methods The aim of this in vitro research project was to develop a juice-based probiotic medical food for the dietary management of multiple sclerosis by inhibiting the growth of epsilon toxin-producing C. perfringens. For the probiotics, we used a proprietary blend of five strains of Bifidobacteriumand ten strains of Lactobacillus (“Doctor’s Biome Signature Probiotic Blend”). For the excipient, we used a proprietary blend of organic green fruit and vegetable juices. The probiotics were added to sterilized excipient at 60 billion colony-forming units per two fluid ounces, yielding a medical food for multiple sclerosis (MF-MS). Two strains of epsilon toxin-producing C. perfringens, ATCC 3626 (type B) and ATCC 3631 (type D), were used as the target microorganisms. Results Over six days of culture, the control samples (RCM broth) showed drastic population growth of both strains, while the test samples (MF-MS) demonstrated complete inhibition of growth for both strains of epsilon toxin-producing Clostridium perfringens. Conclusion We have developed a patent-pending, juice-based probiotic medical food for the dietary management of MS that inhibits the growth of both type B and type D epsilon toxin-producing Clostridium perfringens, which, according to the most recent published clinical findings, are thought to be the cause or trigger of MS. To our knowledge, this is the first in vitro study in which such an effect has been clearly demonstrated.