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1: Nat Med. 2007 Jan;13(1):35-7. Epub 2006 Dec 10.
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Lactobacillus acidophilus modulates intestinal pain and induces opioid and cannabinoid receptors.

Rousseaux C, Thuru X, Gelot A, Barnich N, Neut C, Dubuquoy L, Dubuquoy C, Merour E, Geboes K, Chamaillard M, Ouwehand A, Leyer G, Carcano D, Colombel JF, Ardid D, Desreumaux P.

Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM) U795, Hôpital Swynghedauw, Rue A Verhaeghe, 59037 Lille Cedex, France.

Abdominal pain is common in the general population and, in patients with irritable bowel syndrome, is attributed to visceral hypersensitivity. We found that oral administration of specific Lactobacillus strains induced the expression of mu-opioid and cannabinoid receptors in intestinal epithelial cells, and mediated analgesic functions in the gut-similar to the effects of morphine. These results suggest that the microbiology of the intestinal tract influences our visceral perception, and suggest new approaches for the treatment of abdominal pain and irritable bowel syndrome.

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PMID: 17159985 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]