A study in the Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery looked at whether serrapeptase could help reduce infections around implanted prosthetic devices. Infections caused by slime-forming bacteria around such devices are especially difficult to treat.
The study was done in vivo (in live animals) using rats.
The knee joints of the rats were infected with a slime producing bacteria. After two weeks, the rats received either:
- serrapeptase injections into the knee + antibiotics.
- saline solution injected into the knee + antibiotics (this is the control group).
Two weeks later the joints of the rats were investigated for signs of infection and the possible effects of the serrapeptase on the tissues of the joints.
Out of 18 animals receiving the serrapeptase plus antibiotics, only one showed signs of infection.
Out of 16 animals that received the saline plus antibiotics, SIX animals showed signs of infection. While the sample sizes are small, this does represent a statistically significant difference (p=0.001).
The researchers concluded that serrapeptase was effective in combating post-operative infection from slime-forming bacteria in rats. That is, it showed anti-biofilm properties which may have helped antibiotic efficacy.
Read the article here.