This technology features the Lactobacillus brevis NE428 strain, isolated and identified from kimchi and deposited as KCTC15727BP, as well as pharmaceutical compositions for preventing or treating Graves' disease and health functional foods for prevention and improvement containing this strain as an active ingredient.
Graves' disease is an autoimmune disorder where autoantibodies overstimulate the thyroid. Antithyroid drugs require 6 months to 2 years of treatment, have a 40–50% relapse rate upon discontinuation, and carry risks of agranulocytosis, liver disease, and fatal leukopenia. Radioactive iodine therapy necessitates lifelong thyroid hormone replacement and is not effective for all patients, while surgery requires burdensome pre-operative medication management.
This technology leverages the ability of the NE428 strain to lower elevated blood thyroid hormone levels and reduce thyroid enlargement caused by Graves' disease. The strain can be formulated as live cells, cell lysates, cultures, cell-free culture supernatants, or various extracts. As a lactic acid bacterium from traditional fermented food, it offers superior long-term safety. It can be applied as an adjuvant for hyperthyroidism, in combination therapy to reduce antithyroid drug dosage, or in thyroid health probiotic products, providing a new management tool to alleviate excessive thyroid function without the risks of leukopenia or liver damage associated with long-term medication.
WO2025-147096A1
