Strains of bacteria and pharmaceutical composition containing one or more of such strains and use of same for preventing and treating diseases associated with or caused by altered metabolism of bile acids

Abstract

Strains of bacteria characterized by exhibiting: (a) a 7α-dehydroxylase activity of less than 50%, and (b) a bile acid deconjugation activity of less than 50%, and descendants, mutants and derivatives thereof preserving activities (a) and (b); and a pharmaceutical composition using one or more of such strains and use of same for preventing and treating diseases associated with or caused by an altered metabolism of bile acids.

1 . A bacteria strain characterized by exhibiting: (a) a 7a-dehydroxylase activity of less than 50%, and (b) a bile acid deconjugation activity of less than 50%, and descendants, mutants and derivatives thereof preserving activities (a) and (b). 
     
     
         2 . The strain of  claim 1 , which is a gram-positive bacteria strain. 
     
     
         3 . The strain of  claim 1 , belonging to a species selected from  Streptococcus thermophilus, Streptococcus faecium,  and  Lactobacillus bulgaricus.    
     
     
         4 . The strain of  claim 3 , wherein the bacteria strain is  Streptococcus thermophilus  YS 52 deposited with the CNCM, Collection Nationale de Cultures de Microorganismes, Institut Pasteur, under the accession number 1-1670. 
     
     
         5 . The strain of  claim 3 , wherein the bacteria strain is  Streptococcus thermophilus  YS 46, deposited with the CNCM, Collection Nationale de Cultures de Microorganismes, Institut Pasteur, under the accession number 1-1668. 
     
     
         6 . The strain of  claim 3 , wherein the bacteria strain is  Streptococcus thermophilus  YS 48, deposited with the CNCM, Collection Nationale de Cultures de Microorganismes, Institut Pasteur, under the accession number 1-1669. 
     
     
         7 . The strain of  claim 3 , wherein the bacteria strain is  Streptococcus faecium  SF 3, deposited with the CNCM, Collection Nationale de Cultures de Microorganismes, Institut Pasteur, under the accession number 1-1671. 
     
     
         8 . The strain of  claim 3 , wherein the bacteria strain is  Lactobacillus bulgaricus  LB I deposited with the CNCM, Collection Nationale de Cultures de microorganismes, Institut Pasteur, under the accession number 1-1664. 
     
     
         9 . The strain of  claim 3 , wherein the bacteria strain is  Lactobacillus bulgaricus  LB 3 deposited with the CNCM, Collection Nationale de Cultures de Microorganismes, Institut Pasteur, under the accession number 1-1665. 
     
     
         10 . The strain of  claim 3 , wherein the bacteria strain is  Lactobacillus bulgaricus  LB 7 deposited with the CNCM, Collection Nationale de Cultures de Microorganismes, Institut Pasteur, under the accession number 1-1666. 
     
     
         11 . The strain of  claim 3 , wherein the bacteria strain is  Lactobacillus bulgaricus  LB 77 deposited with the CNCM, Collection Nationale de Cultures de Microorganismes, Institut Pasteur, under the accession number 1-1667. 
     
     
         12 - 36 . (canceled)