Immune-Enhancing Effects of Probiotic Bacteria Reported
Lee Swanson Research Update
Dutch scientists have reported that the potential immune-system-enhancing effects of probiotics may be due to an activation of specific genes in the walls of our intestines.
The scientists identified patterns of gene expressions in the cells of the intestinal wall that may trigger mechanism for immune tolerance.
The study is claimed to be the first scientific evidence of how probiotics influence the immune system in humans. The findings are published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
A potential immune-enhancing effect from probiotic bacteria has been reported by many scientific groups, but the mechanism by how these effects may be occurring has not been elucidated, according to the Dutch researchers behind the new study.
The researchers performed an in vivo human study in order to investigate the response of certain genes to Lactobacillus plantarum.
The randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover study involved the ingestion of live L. plantarum, heat-killed L. plantarum, or placebo.
Biopsies were taken from the duodenum of the subjects and their gene expression patterns analyzed. Using gene expression analysis, Professor Michiel Kleerebezem and his co-workers report differences between the expression profiles of people who consumed the live L. plantarum, compared to the heat-killed L. plantarum or placebo.
"Striking differences" in pathways dependent on a protein complex called nuclear factor kappa B (NF-kB) were observed. NF-kB plays an important role in the regulation of the immune system’s response to infection.
"Our in vivo study identified mucosal gene expression patterns and cellular pathways that correlated with the establishment of immune tolerance in healthy adults," they concluded.
According to the FAO/WHO, probiotics are defined as "live microorganisms which when administered in adequate amounts confer a health benefit on the host."
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences Published online ahead of print.
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