The aim of this study was to evaluate how konjac glucomannan hydrolysates (GMH) could support the healthy re-colonisation of vaginal microflora post infections. A total of 26 female patients (12 controls and 14 treatments) aged 18 to 25 suffering from vaginal infection were recruited for this study. Patients were assigned randomly into two groups to receive a standard antifungal treatment or a standard antifungal treatment plus pessary capsules containing 200 mg GMH (twice a week for thirty days). Patients were assessed on day zero, sixteen and thirty of the trial. Several parameters were determined including yeast and bacterial counts, the KOH test, pH, Gram staining and wet mount microscopic observations. The results showed that the counts of Candida were diminished completely with antifungal treatment for both groups. However, the total bacterial counts increased with time in the GMH pessary group unlike the control. The normalised average KOH scores were reduced sharply with time in both groups although in the control group scores started to increase after sixteen days. The normalised average white blood cells cores also decreased with time for both groups. Epithelial cell scores decreased only for the GMH pessary group while clue cells and yeast-like fungi decreased with time for both control and GMH pessary groups. These results indicate the improvement of vaginal health recovery (post antifungal treatment for Candida infection) and especially the presence of healthy microflora due to the introduction of GMH in the vagina. The data indicate that it would be worth examining further the health benefits of GMH in a vaginal health format with a view to employing the material as a prophylactic or therapeutic agent. It provides an alternative approach to reducing vaginal infections and promoting consumer health.
Purchase
Buy instant access (PDF download and unlimited online access):
Institutional Login
Log in with Open Athens, Shibboleth, or your institutional credentials
Personal login
Log in with your brill.com account
Al-Ghazzewi, F.H. and Tester, R.F., 2010. Effect of konjac glucomannan hydrolysates and probiotics on the growth of the skin bacterium Propionibacterium acnes in vitro. International Journal of Cosmetic Science 32: 139-142.
'Effect of konjac glucomannan hydrolysates and probiotics on the growth of the skin bacterium Propionibacterium acnes in vitro ' () 32 International Journal of Cosmetic Science : 139 -142.
Al-Ghazzewi, F.H. and Tester, R.F., 2012. The synbiotic effects of konjac glucomannan hydrolysates (GMH) and lactobacilli on the growth of Staphylococcus aureus and Salmonella typhimurium. Nutrition and Food Science 42, in press.
Al-Ghazzewi, F.H., Khanna, S., Tester, R.F. and Piggott, J., 2007. The potential use of hydrolysed konjac glucomannan as a prebiotic. Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture 87: 1758-1766.
'The potential use of hydrolysed konjac glucomannan as a prebiotic ' () 87 Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture : 1758 -1766.
Barbes, C. and Boris, S., 1999. Potential role of lactobacilli as prophylactic agents against genital pathogens. AIDS Patient Care and STDs 13: 747-751.
'Potential role of lactobacilli as prophylactic agents against genital pathogens ' () 13 AIDS Patient Care and STDs : 747 -751.
Boris, S. and Barbes, C., 2000. Role played by lactobacilli in controlling the population of vaginal pathogens. Microbes and Infection 2: 543-546.
'Role played by lactobacilli in controlling the population of vaginal pathogens ' () 2 Microbes and Infection : 543 -546.
Cocolin, L., Foschino, R., Comi, G. and Fortina, M.G., 2007. Description of the bacteriocins produced by two strains of Enterococcus faecium isolated from Italian goat milk. Food Microbiology 24: 752-758.
'Description of the bacteriocins produced by two strains of Enterococcus faecium isolated from Italian goat milk ' () 24 Food Microbiology : 752 -758.
Drake, S.M., Evans, B.A. and Gerken, A.A., 1980. Vaginal pH and microflora related to yeast infections and treatment. British Journal of Venereal Diseases 56: 107-110.
'Vaginal pH and microflora related to yeast infections and treatment ' () 56 British Journal of Venereal Diseases : 107 -110.
Elamir, A.A., Tester, R.F., Al-Ghazzewi, F.H., Kaal, H.Y., Ghalbon, A.A., Elmegrahai, N.A. and Piggott, J.R., 2008. Effects of konjac glucomannan hydrolysates on the gut microflora of mice. Nutrition and Food Science 38: 422-429.
'Effects of konjac glucomannan hydrolysates on the gut microflora of mice ' () 38 Nutrition and Food Science : 422 -429.
Elmer, G.W., Surawicz, C.M. and McFarland, L.V., 1996. Biotherapeutic agents: a neglected modality for the treatment and prevention of selected intestinal and vaginal infections. Journal of the American Medical Association 275: 870-876.
'Biotherapeutic agents: a neglected modality for the treatment and prevention of selected intestinal and vaginal infections ' () 275 Journal of the American Medical Association : 870 -876.
Fernandes, C.F., Shahani, K.M. and Amer, M.A., 1987. Therapeutic role of dietary lactobacilli and lactobacillic fermented dairy products. FEMS Microbiology Letters 46: 343-356.
'Therapeutic role of dietary lactobacilli and lactobacillic fermented dairy products ' () 46 FEMS Microbiology Letters : 343 -356.
Gibson, G.R. and Roberfroid, M.B., 1995. Dietary modulation of the human colonic microbiota: introducing the concept of prebiotics. Journal of Nutrition 125: 1401-1412.
'Dietary modulation of the human colonic microbiota: introducing the concept of prebiotics ' () 125 Journal of Nutrition : 1401 -1412.
Gibson, G.R., McCartney, A.L. and Rastall, R.A., 2005. Prebiotics and resistance to gastrointestinal infections. British Journal of Nutrition 93 Suppl. 1: S31-S34.
'Prebiotics and resistance to gastrointestinal infections ' () 1 British Journal of Nutrition : S31 -S34.
Hamilton-Miller, J.M.T., 1973. The effect of pH and of temperature on the stability and bioactivity of nystatin and amphotericin B. Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology 25: 401-407.
'The effect of pH and of temperature on the stability and bioactivity of nystatin and amphotericin B ' () 25 Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology : 401 -407.
Hamilton-Miller, J.M.T. and Shah, S., 1994. Susceptibility patterns of vaginal lactobacilli to eleven oral antibiotics. Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy 33: 1059-1060.
'Susceptibility patterns of vaginal lactobacilli to eleven oral antibiotics ' () 33 Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy : 1059 -1060.
Klebanoff, S.J., Hillier, S.L., Eschenbach, D.A. and Waltersdorph, A.M., 1991. Control of the microbial flora of the vagina by H2O2-generating lactobacilli. Journal of Infectious Disease 164: 94-100.
'Control of the microbial flora of the vagina by H2O2-generating lactobacilli ' () 164 Journal of Infectious Disease : 94 -100.
Maggi, L., Mastromarino, P., Macchia, S., Brigidi, P., Pirovano, F., Matteuzzi, D. and Conte, U., 2000. Technological and biological evaluation of tablets containing different strains of lactobacilli for vaginal administration. European Journal of Pharmaceutics and Biopharmaceutics 50: 389-395.
'Technological and biological evaluation of tablets containing different strains of lactobacilli for vaginal administration ' () 50 European Journal of Pharmaceutics and Biopharmaceutics : 389 -395.
Mastromarino, P., Brigidi, P., Macchia, S., Maggi, L., Pirovano, F., Trinchieri, V., Conte, U. and Matteuzzi, D., 2002. Characterisation and selection of vaginal Lactobacillus strains from the preparation of vaginal tablets. Journal of Applied Microbiology 93: 884-893.
'Characterisation and selection of vaginal Lactobacillus strains from the preparation of vaginal tablets ' () 93 Journal of Applied Microbiology : 884 -893.
Reid, G. and Bruce, A.W., 2001. Selection of Lactobacillus strains for urogenital probiotic applications. Journal of Infectious Disease 183 Suppl. 1 S77-S80.
'Selection of Lactobacillus strains for urogenital probiotic applications ' () 183 Journal of Infectious Disease : S77 -S80.
Reid, G., Beuerman, D., Heinemann, C. and Bruce, A.W., 2001a. Probiotic Lactobacillus dose required to restore and maintain a normal vaginal flora. FEMS Immunology and Medical Microbiology 32: 37-41.
'Probiotic Lactobacillus dose required to restore and maintain a normal vaginal flora ' () 32 FEMS Immunology and Medical Microbiology : 37 -41.
Reid, G., Bruce, A.W., Fraser, N., Heinemann, C., Owen, J. and Henning, B., 2001b. Oral probiotic can resolve urogenital infections. FEMS Immunology and Medical Microbiology 30: 49-52.
'Oral probiotic can resolve urogenital infections ' () 30 FEMS Immunology and Medical Microbiology : 49 -52.
Reid, G., Charbonneau, D., Erb, J., Kochanowski, B., Beuerman, D., Poehner, R. and Bruce, A.W., 2003. Oral use of Lactobacillus rhamnosus GR-1 and L. fermentum RC-14 significantly alters vaginal flora: randomised, placebo-controlled trial in 64 healthy women. FEMS Immunology and Medical Microbiology 35: 131-134.
'Oral use of Lactobacillus rhamnosus GR-1 and L. fermentum RC-14 significantly alters vaginal flora: randomised, placebo-controlled trial in 64 healthy women ' () 35 FEMS Immunology and Medical Microbiology : 131 -134.
Sarkisov, S.E., Krymshokalova, Z.S., Kafarskaia, L.I. and Korshunov, V.M., 2000. The use of the biotherapeutic agent Zhlemik for correcting the microflora in bacterial vaginosis. Journal of Microbiology, Epidemiology and Immunobiology 1: 88-90.
'The use of the biotherapeutic agent Zhlemik for correcting the microflora in bacterial vaginosis ' () 1 Journal of Microbiology, Epidemiology and Immunobiology : 88 -90.
Sobel, J.D., 1992. Pathogenesis and treatment of recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis. Clinical Infectious Disease 14 Suppl. 1: S148-S153.
'Pathogenesis and treatment of recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis ' () 1 Clinical Infectious Disease : S148 -S153.
Sobel, J.D. and Chaim, W., 1996. Vaginal microbiology of women with acute recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis. Journal of Clinical Microbiology 24: 2497-2499.
'Vaginal microbiology of women with acute recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis ' () 24 Journal of Clinical Microbiology : 2497 -2499.
Strus, M., Kucharska, A., Kukla, G., Brzychczy-Wloch, M. K. and Heczko, P.B., 2005. The in vitro activity of vaginal Lactobacillus with probiotic properties against Candida. Infectious Diseases in Obstetrics and Gynecology 13: 69-75.
'The in vitro activity of vaginal Lactobacillus with probiotic properties against Candida ' () 13 Infectious Diseases in Obstetrics and Gynecology : 69 -75.
Sutherland, A., Tester, R., Al-Ghazzewi, F., McCulloch, E. and Connolly, M., 2008, Glucomannan hydrolysate (GMH) inhibition of Candida albicans growth in the presence of Lactobacillus and Lactococcus species. Microbial Ecology in Health and Disease 20: 127-134.
'Glucomannan hydrolysate (GMH) inhibition of Candida albicans growth in the presence of Lactobacillus and Lactococcus species ' () 20 Microbial Ecology in Health and Disease : 127 -134.
Tester, R. and Al-Ghazzewi, F., 2011. A preliminary study of the synbiotic effects of konjac glucomannan hydrolysates (GMH) and lactobacilli on the growth of the oral bacterium Streptococcus mutans. Nutrition and Food Science 41: 234-237.
'A preliminary study of the synbiotic effects of konjac glucomannan hydrolysates (GMH) and lactobacilli on the growth of the oral bacterium Streptococcus mutans ' () 41 Nutrition and Food Science : 234 -237.
Vermerie, N., Malbrunot, C., Azar, M. and Arnaud, P., 1997. Stability of nystatin in mouthrinses; effect of pH, temperature, concentration and colloidal silver addition, studied using an in vitro antifungal activity. Pharmacy World and Science 19: 197-201.
'Stability of nystatin in mouthrinses; effect of pH, temperature, concentration and colloidal silver addition, studied using an in vitro antifungal activity ' () 19 Pharmacy World and Science : 197 -201.
Wilson, M., 2005. The reproductive system and its indigenous microbiota. In: Wilson, M. (ed.) Microbial inhabitants of humans: their ecology and role in health and disease. Cambridge University Press, New York, NY, USA, pp. 206-248.
'The reproductive system and its indigenous microbiota ', in Microbial inhabitants of humans: their ecology and role in health and disease , () 206 -248.
| All Time | Past 365 days | Past 30 Days | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Abstract Views | 864 | 209 | 25 |
| Full Text Views | 44 | 8 | 0 |
| PDF Views & Downloads | 28 | 7 | 0 |
The aim of this study was to evaluate how konjac glucomannan hydrolysates (GMH) could support the healthy re-colonisation of vaginal microflora post infections. A total of 26 female patients (12 controls and 14 treatments) aged 18 to 25 suffering from vaginal infection were recruited for this study. Patients were assigned randomly into two groups to receive a standard antifungal treatment or a standard antifungal treatment plus pessary capsules containing 200 mg GMH (twice a week for thirty days). Patients were assessed on day zero, sixteen and thirty of the trial. Several parameters were determined including yeast and bacterial counts, the KOH test, pH, Gram staining and wet mount microscopic observations. The results showed that the counts of Candida were diminished completely with antifungal treatment for both groups. However, the total bacterial counts increased with time in the GMH pessary group unlike the control. The normalised average KOH scores were reduced sharply with time in both groups although in the control group scores started to increase after sixteen days. The normalised average white blood cells cores also decreased with time for both groups. Epithelial cell scores decreased only for the GMH pessary group while clue cells and yeast-like fungi decreased with time for both control and GMH pessary groups. These results indicate the improvement of vaginal health recovery (post antifungal treatment for Candida infection) and especially the presence of healthy microflora due to the introduction of GMH in the vagina. The data indicate that it would be worth examining further the health benefits of GMH in a vaginal health format with a view to employing the material as a prophylactic or therapeutic agent. It provides an alternative approach to reducing vaginal infections and promoting consumer health.
| All Time | Past 365 days | Past 30 Days | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Abstract Views | 864 | 209 | 25 |
| Full Text Views | 44 | 8 | 0 |
| PDF Views & Downloads | 28 | 7 | 0 |