Lactococcus lactis NCDO 2118

Lactococcus lactis NCDO 2118 is a probiotic strain that produces high levels of glutamate decarboxylase (GAD), an enzyme central to its gut-protective effects. It reduces intestinal inflammation by suppressing NF-κB signaling and alleviates visceral pain by modulating GABAergic pathways in the gut.

Origin & History

Lactococcus lactis NCDO 2118 is a gram-positive, facultative anaerobic lactic acid bacterium (LAB) strain originally isolated from dairy or environmental sources, recognized as generally safe (GRAS). This probiotic strain is cultured under controlled conditions including oxygen-limiting fermentation at 30°C with pH dropping from 6.6 to 4.6, producing whole bacterial cells with specific genomic features including genes for bile/acid stress resistance, bacteriocins, and adhesion proteins.

Historical & Cultural Context

L. lactis NCDO 2118 has no evidence of traditional medicinal use in historical systems. The strain's GRAS (Generally Recognized As Safe) status derives from the broader use of L. lactis species in dairy fermentation rather than ethnomedicine, representing a modern probiotic application rather than traditional use.

Health Benefits

• Reduces intestinal inflammation by inhibiting NF-κB activation and decreasing pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-8, TNF-α, IL-6, Cox-2) - demonstrated in preclinical DSS-induced colitis models
• Alleviates visceral hypersensitivity and stress-induced gut pain through high glutamate decarboxylase (GAD) activity (45.3 ± 4.7 µmol/min·mg) and GABA production - shown in mouse models
• Enhances gut barrier function through production of strain-specific exported proteins and adhesins - supported by proteomic analysis
• Survives harsh gastrointestinal conditions via acid/bile tolerance genes - confirmed through genomic and proteomic studies
• May support immune modulation in intestinal epithelial cells - demonstrated in vitro and in animal models

How It Works

Lactococcus lactis NCDO 2118 inhibits NF-κB nuclear translocation in intestinal epithelial cells, thereby suppressing transcription of pro-inflammatory mediators including IL-8, TNF-α, IL-6, and cyclooxygenase-2 (Cox-2). Its high glutamate decarboxylase (GAD) activity converts glutamate to gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), which acts on GABA receptors in the enteric nervous system to dampen visceral nociceptive signaling. These dual mechanisms target both the inflammatory cascade and the neuro-sensory axis of the gut-brain connection.

Scientific Research

Evidence for L. lactis NCDO 2118 is limited to preclinical models with no human clinical trials, RCTs, or meta-analyses identified. Key studies include DSS-induced colitis mouse models showing anti-inflammatory effects via immunomodulation, and stress-induced hypersensitivity mouse models demonstrating visceral antinociceptive effects through GABA production. Proteomic analysis under GI-mimicking conditions quantified 1,239 proteins with 161 differentially expressed.

Clinical Summary

Current evidence for Lactococcus lactis NCDO 2118 is primarily preclinical, derived from dextran sodium sulfate (DSS)-induced colitis mouse models, which showed measurable reductions in colonic expression of IL-8, TNF-α, IL-6, and Cox-2 following oral administration. Studies in rodent models of stress-induced visceral hypersensitivity demonstrated attenuation of abdominal pain responses, attributed to GAD-mediated GABA production. No large-scale randomized controlled human trials have been published to date, limiting the ability to establish definitive therapeutic dosages or confirm efficacy in clinical populations. The evidence base is promising but should be considered hypothesis-generating rather than conclusive.

Nutritional Profile

As a probiotic bacterial strain rather than a conventional food ingredient, Lactococcus lactis NCDO 2118 does not contribute meaningful macronutrients or micronutrients in typical delivery doses (10^8–10^10 CFU). Its bioactive value lies in its metabolic outputs: exceptionally high glutamate decarboxylase (GAD) activity at 45.3 ± 4.7 µmol/min·mg, producing gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) from dietary glutamate — one of the highest GAD activities recorded among lactic acid bacteria. The strain produces short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) including acetate and lactate as fermentation byproducts, which contribute to colonocyte energy metabolism and luminal pH regulation. Cell wall components include peptidoglycans and lipoteichoic acids that act as postbiotic signaling molecules interacting with host Toll-like receptors (TLR-2, TLR-4). The strain does not produce significant exopolysaccharides compared to other lactococci. Bioavailability of its functional outputs depends on gastrointestinal survival; being a non-spore-forming gram-positive bacterium, it shows moderate acid tolerance and benefits from microencapsulation or food matrix delivery to improve viable cell delivery to the colon.

Preparation & Dosage

No clinically studied human dosages are available due to lack of human trials. In mouse models, approximately 3 × 10¹¹ CFU (colony forming units) of harvested bacterial cells were used orally for therapeutic effects. Probiotic forms typically consist of live bacterial cells in powder or fermented culture form, with viability measured by CFU counts. Consult a healthcare provider before starting any new supplement.

Synergy & Pairings

Pairing with inulin or fructooligosaccharides (FOS) at 3–5g creates a synbiotic effect, providing fermentable substrate that supports NCDO 2118 metabolic activity and amplifies SCFA and GABA production in the distal gut. L-glutamate (as glutamic acid, 500–1000mg) directly feeds the strain's high GAD enzymatic activity, potentiating GABA synthesis and enhancing the visceral hypersensitivity-reducing mechanism along the gut-brain axis. Combining with Lactobacillus rhamnosus JB-1 or Bifidobacterium longum 1714 creates complementary neuroactive pathways — NCDO 2118 contributes GABA production while these strains modulate vagal afferent signaling and tryptophan/serotonin pathways, providing additive anxiolytic and gut-pain-relieving effects. Zinc (10–15mg as zinc gluconate) supports tight junction protein expression (claudin-1, occludin, ZO-1) through complementary mechanisms to the strain's barrier-enhancing activity, synergistically reinforcing intestinal permeability reduction beyond what either achieves alone.

Safety & Interactions

Lactococcus lactis NCDO 2118 belongs to the Lactococcus genus, which has a long history of safe use in food fermentation and is generally considered safe for healthy adults. No significant adverse effects have been reported in preclinical studies, though comprehensive human safety trials have not been published. Individuals who are immunocompromised, have short bowel syndrome, or carry central venous catheters should exercise caution with any probiotic supplement, as rare cases of bacteremia have been reported with lactic acid bacteria as a class. Pregnant or breastfeeding individuals should consult a healthcare provider before use, and no specific drug interactions have been formally documented for this strain.