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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Published in:PloS one Vol. 20; no. 4; p. e0321737
Main Authors: Campaner, Adriana Bittencourt, Rosário Sica, Ana Carolina Alves, d’ Avila Curi, Flavia Salomão, Marchetti, Giulia, Dias, Grazielle Suhett, Teixeira, Bianca Luise
Format: Journal Article
Language:English
Published: United States Public Library of Science 24.04.2025
Public Library of Science (PLoS)
Subjects:
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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Summary: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.
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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