Lactococcus lactis subsp. lactis NCDO 2118

Lactococcus lactis subsp. lactis NCDO 2118 is a probiotic bacterial strain that produces gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and modulates intestinal immune responses. Its primary mechanisms involve GABA_B receptor activation to reduce gut hypersensitivity and suppression of pro-inflammatory IL-8 secretion in intestinal epithelial cells.

Origin & History

Lactococcus lactis subsp. lactis NCDO 2118 is a nondairy lactic acid bacterium isolated from plant sources, known for its xylose fermentation and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) production. It belongs to the group of gram-positive, facultative anaerobic cocci and is cultured rather than extracted from plants.

Historical & Cultural Context

No evidence of traditional use exists for L. lactis NCDO 2118 in historical medicine systems. It is a modern cultured bacterium identified specifically for contemporary probiotic research rather than ethnomedicinal applications.

Health Benefits

• Reduces intestinal inflammation by decreasing IL-8 secretion by 45% and increasing anti-inflammatory cytokines IL-10 and IL-6 (preliminary evidence from mouse studies)
• Alleviates stress-induced visceral hypersensitivity through GABA production and GABA_B receptor activation (preliminary evidence from rat studies)
• Supports regulatory T-cell function by boosting CD4+ Tregs with LAP-TGF-β in lymph nodes and spleen (preliminary evidence from mouse studies)
• Improves colitis symptoms including clinical scores, colon length, and histological damage in recurrent colitis models (preliminary evidence from mouse studies)
• Demonstrates antimicrobial activity against parasites like Trypanosoma cruzi with immunomodulatory effects (preliminary in vitro evidence)

How It Works

Lactococcus lactis NCDO 2118 synthesizes GABA, which binds to GABA_B receptors on enteric neurons and intestinal cells to dampen visceral pain signaling triggered by stress. Simultaneously, the strain downregulates NF-κB-driven IL-8 secretion in intestinal epithelial cells while upregulating the anti-inflammatory cytokines IL-10 and IL-6, shifting the mucosal immune environment toward tolerance. These dual actions—GABAergic modulation of the enteric nervous system and cytokine rebalancing—underlie its proposed effects on both pain sensitivity and inflammatory bowel conditions.

Scientific Research

No human clinical trials have been conducted on L. lactis NCDO 2118. Available evidence is limited to preclinical animal studies including a DSS-induced colitis mouse model (PMID: 25110521) showing anti-inflammatory effects and a rat visceral hypersensitivity model (PMID: 35727704) demonstrating antinociceptive effects via GABA production.

Clinical Summary

Current evidence for Lactococcus lactis NCDO 2118 is limited to preclinical mouse studies, with no published human clinical trials as of early 2025. In murine models of intestinal inflammation, the strain reduced IL-8 secretion by approximately 45% in intestinal epithelial cell assays and elevated anti-inflammatory IL-10 and IL-6 levels. Separate rodent studies using stress-induced visceral hypersensitivity models demonstrated meaningful reductions in pain response, attributed to GABA production and GABA_B receptor activation. Extrapolating these findings to humans requires significant caution, and controlled clinical trials are needed to establish efficacy, effective dosing, and safety in human populations.

Nutritional Profile

Lactococcus lactis subsp. lactis NCDO 2118 is a gram-positive lactic acid bacterium with nutritional contributions primarily as a functional/probiotic ingredient rather than a macronutrient source. Key documented bioactive compounds and nutritional characteristics include: (1) GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid): actively produced by this strain via glutamate decarboxylase (GAD) activity, with production levels varying by fermentation conditions but estimated in the range of 0.1–5 mmol/L in fermented media; (2) Lactic acid: primary metabolic end-product from homofermentative metabolism of lactose and glucose, contributing to pH reduction and food preservation; (3) Cell wall components: peptidoglycans, lipoteichoic acids, and surface-layer proteins that interact with host immune receptors (TLRs, NOD receptors), constituting approximately 20–30% of dry cell weight; (4) Exopolysaccharides (EPS): strain-dependent production, which modulate gut immune responses and contribute to prebiotic-like effects; (5) Proteins/enzymes: proteolytic enzymes including cell-envelope proteinases that hydrolyze casein into bioactive peptides during dairy fermentation; estimated protein content of bacterial biomass ~50–60% of dry weight; (6) B vitamins: like other lactococci, capable of contributing trace amounts of riboflavin (B2) and folate (B9) during fermentation, though NCDO 2118-specific quantification is not well-documented in published literature; (7) TGF-β-inducing surface factors: surface proteins associated with LAP-TGF-β expression on CD4+ Tregs, structurally uncharacterized but immunologically active; (8) No significant dietary fiber, fat, or mineral content is contributed directly by the bacterial cells at typical probiotic doses (10^8–10^10 CFU). Bioavailability note: GABA produced in situ in the gut or delivered via fermented food matrix shows limited systemic absorption but significant local enteric nervous system activity; immune-modulatory compounds act primarily through mucosal contact rather than systemic absorption.

Preparation & Dosage

Animal studies used oral administration of live L. lactis NCDO 2118 at approximately 10^9 CFU/day (1 mL/rat for 10 days with 0.2% glutamate for antinociceptive effects, or 4 days in mice during colitis remission). No human dosage data available. Consult a healthcare provider before starting any new supplement.

Synergy & Pairings

Glutamate, GABA, Other Lactococcus strains, Prebiotics, Anti-inflammatory probiotics

Safety & Interactions

Lactococcus lactis subsp. lactis NCDO 2118 belongs to a species with a long history of safe use in food fermentation, and it holds Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) status considerations for related lactococcal strains. However, no formal human safety studies specific to NCDO 2118 have been published, making it difficult to define a confirmed adverse-effect profile. Individuals who are immunocompromised, have short bowel syndrome, or have prosthetic heart valves should exercise caution with any live bacterial supplement and consult a physician before use. No specific drug interactions have been documented for this strain, though concurrent use with antibiotics may reduce its viability, and safety during pregnancy or lactation has not been established.