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Probiotics for the nose?

October 26, 2018

ProbioRinse™ is the first probiotic intended for intranasal applications.

Is there a nose microbiome?

The microbiome is defined as “the collection of microorganisms and their collective genetic material present in or on the human body” (Dictionary.com; 2018). Since we have about 10 times more microbial cells in or on our bodies than human cells, they can play an important role in maintaining health and the development of disease. Every organ and anatomical site in the body has bacterial colonies called “microbiomes.” This varies by location and can vary greatly depending on local conditions: hot or cold, humid or dry, etc.

Although the gut microbiome has received much attention, we continue to learn important facts about the microbiome of other sites such as the skin, reproductive system, and nose. Researchers have identified a bacterial imbalance in patients with allergies and chronic rhinosinusitis, with a decrease in the number of beneficial species and a decrease in the diversity or variety of organisms recovered.

It is thought that inflammation, viral infections, or allergies can disrupt the delicate balance in the composition of these bacterial flora, leading to an imbalance of bacterial species called “dysbiosis.” This imbalance is thought to impair the protective and health-preserving properties of the microbiome, contributing to the development and persistence of disease. For these reasons, researchers and clinicians are increasingly attempting to manipulate the microbiome in a variety of ways, including the use of probiotics.

Until recently, there were no probiotics available for intranasal use. Fortunately, ProbioRinse™ now offers an innovative therapeutic alternative for patients suffering from nasal and sinus problems. ProbioRinse™ is unique in that it combines the benefits of nasal saline irrigation with the addition of a probiotic bacteria. By incorporating the freeze-dried probiotic Lactocccus lactis W136 into convenient single-serve sachets containing the buffered saline mixture, the probiotic is reconstituted at the time of solution manufacture, so that a fresh probiotic rinse solution is used every time.