Probiotics Mimic Morphine, Reducing Intestinal Pain

LILLE, France—Oral administration of Lactobacillus acidophilus (as NCFM™, Danisco USA Inc.) was found to mediate analgesic functions in the gut—equivalent to morphine effects. “When we put intestinal epithelial cells in contact with various lactic acid bacteria, NCFM induced a significant expression of µ opiod receptor (MOR) and receptors for cannabid (CB2) that exert an analgesic effect,” said Pierre Desreumaux, Ph.D., head of the department of Gastrointestinal Diseases and Nutrition at Lille Hospital, France, and principal author of the study. “One could envision NCFM to be prescribed for intestinal functional disorders or co-administered with morphine to relieve serious gastrointestinal pathologies, therefore reducing the morphine dose and related side effects,” he said.

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