In vivo assessment of the effect of gel containing lactic acid and glycogen on vaginal microbiota and pH of asymptomatic women of reproductive age

Background Vaginal dysbiosis is considered a risk factor for the development of gynecological and obstetric complications. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of vaginal gel containing lactic acid on vaginal pH, microbiota composition, and Candida species in asymptomatic women of reproductive a...

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Veröffentlicht in:	PloS one Jg. 20; H. 4; S. e0321737
Hauptverfasser:	Campaner, Adriana Bittencourt, Rosário Sica, Ana Carolina Alves, d’ Avila Curi, Flavia Salomão, Marchetti, Giulia, Dias, Grazielle Suhett, Teixeira, Bianca Luise
Format:	Journal Article
Sprache:	Englisch
Veröffentlicht:	United States Public Library of Science 24.04.2025 Public Library of Science (PLoS)
Schlagworte:	Acids Adult Analysis Asymptomatic Bacteria Biology and Life Sciences Candida Candida - drug effects Candida - isolation & purification Composition Computer and Information Sciences Dysbacteriosis Dysbiosis - drug therapy Dysbiosis - microbiology Female Glycogen Glycogen - administration & dosage Glycogen - pharmacology Glycogens Gynecology Health aspects Humans Hydrogen-Ion Concentration Hygiene Infections Intervention Lactic acid Lactic Acid - administration & dosage Lactic Acid - pharmacology Lactobacilli Lactobacillus Medicine and Health Sciences Menstruation Methods Microbiota Microbiota (Symbiotic organisms) Microbiota - drug effects Microorganisms Outpatient care facilities pH effects Physical Sciences Pregnancy Risk factors Sexually transmitted diseases Statistical analysis STD Taxonomy Vagina Vagina - drug effects Vagina - microbiology Vaginal Creams, Foams, and Jellies - administration & dosage Vaginal Creams, Foams, and Jellies - pharmacology Vaginosis Womens health Young Adult Brazil
ISSN:	1932-6203, 1932-6203
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Zusammenfassung:	Background Vaginal dysbiosis is considered a risk factor for the development of gynecological and obstetric complications. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of vaginal gel containing lactic acid on vaginal pH, microbiota composition, and Candida species in asymptomatic women of reproductive age. Methods: 55 menstruating women, with no gynecological complaints, participated in the study, using a gel containing lactic acid twice a week, for 8 weeks. Assessments were conducted before and after the intervention, including measurements of vaginal pH, Nugent score, vaginal microbiota characteristics (alpha diversity index and Community State Types [CSTs] classification), and identification of Candida species. Results: At baseline, 36.4% of women exhibited CST type IV vaginal microbiota, followed by CST type III (30.9%), with vaginal pH values ranging from 4 to 5. After the intervention, there was a significant reduction in vaginal pH (p = 0.0057) and Nugent scores (p = 0.0047). Furthermore, a statistically significant decline was observed in the prevalence of unfavorable taxonomic groups, including Prevotella amnii and Bacterial Vaginosis Associated Bacterium 1, while vaginal lactobacilli remained unaffected. Despite these positive changes, the intervention did not result in a statistically significant alteration in microbial diversity or CST composition (p = 0.12). The gel was well-tolerated, with a low incidence of mild adverse effects reported. Conclusions: The lactic acid-containing gel demonstrated a significant reduction in vaginal pH and Nugent scores in asymptomatic women, indicating possible improvement in vaginal health, that needs to be confirmed in a placebo-controlled study. Although the intervention did not influence microbial diversity and the type of vaginal microbiota at the end of the study, it was able to reduce the prevalence of some taxonomic groups after intervention with the vaginal gel.
Bibliographie:	ObjectType-Article-1 SourceType-Scholarly Journals-1 ObjectType-Feature-2 content type line 14 content type line 23 FSAC and BLT have also contributed equally to this work. Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist. ABC, ACARS, GM, and GSD have contributed equally to this work.
ISSN:	1932-6203 1932-6203
DOI:	10.1371/journal.pone.0321737