Evidence supporting the use of: Lactiplantibacillus plantarum
For the health condition: Urinary Tract Infections

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Synopsis

Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 2

Lactiplantibacillus plantarum (formerly Lactobacillus plantarum) has been studied for its potential role in supporting urinary tract health, including the prevention and management of urinary tract infections (UTIs). The scientific rationale is based on the probiotic’s ability to modulate the vaginal and urinary microbiota, promote colonization resistance against uropathogens (such as Escherichia coli), and enhance mucosal immune responses. Several in vitro and animal studies have shown that L. plantarum can inhibit the growth and adhesion of common UTI-causing bacteria through the production of organic acids, hydrogen peroxide, and bacteriocins.

However, the direct clinical evidence in humans is limited. Most robust clinical trials on probiotics for UTI prevention have focused on other species, particularly Lactobacillus rhamnosus and Lactobacillus reuteri. Some small-scale studies and pilot trials have included L. plantarum in multi-strain formulas and reported reduced recurrence of UTIs, but isolating the effect of L. plantarum alone is challenging. Systematic reviews and meta-analyses note a potential benefit of probiotics in general for recurrent UTI prevention, but emphasize that specific evidence for L. plantarum is still emerging and not as strong as for other strains.

In summary, the use of L. plantarum for UTIs is justified by limited scientific evidence, mostly from mechanistic studies and preliminary clinical reports. More high-quality, strain-specific clinical trials are needed to confirm its efficacy for UTI prevention or treatment.

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