title: A mixture of Lactobacillus plantarum CECT 7315 and CECT 7316 enhances systemic immunity in elderly subjects. A dose-response, double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized pilot trial.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Immunosenescence can increase morbi-mortality. Lactic acid producing bacteria may improve immunity and reduce morbidity and mortality in the elderly. We aimed to investigate the effects of a mixture of two new probiotic strains of Lactobacillus plantarum--CECT 7315 and 7316--on systemic immunity in elderly.
  
  
  METHODS
  50 institutionalized elderly subjects were randomized, in a double-blind fashion, to receive for 12 weeks 1) 5·10(8) cfu/day of L. plantarum CECT7315/7316 ("low probiotic dose") (n = 13), 2) 5·10(9) cfu/day of the probiotic mixture ("high probiotic dose") (n = 19), or 3) placebo (n = 15). Leukocyte subpopulations, and cytokine levels (IL-1 , IL-10, TGF-β1) were measured in venous blood at baseline, end of treatment (week 12), and end of follow-up (week 24). Infection and survival rates were recorded.
  
  
  RESULTS
  After treatment, high probiotic dose resulted in significant increases in the percentages of activated potentially T-suppressor (CD8+CD25+) and NK (CD56+ CD16+) cells, while low probiotic dose increased activated T-helper lymphocytes (CD4+CD25+), B lymphocytes (CD19+), and antigen presenting cells (HLA-DR+). Also, plasma TGF-β1 concentration significantly decreased after treatment with both probiotic doses. Most of these changes remained 12 weeks after probiotic discontinuation. Incidence of infections during treatment showed a significant trend to be lower in the high probiotic dose group. In addition, there was a significant trend for mortality to be greater in the placebo group vs. both probiotic groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Depending on the dose, L. plantarum CECT7315/7316 have different immune-enhancing effects in elderly subjects. These effects might result in a better clinical outcome.
authors.affiliation: Institute for Research in Health Sciences Germans Trias i Pujol, Badalona, Catalonia, Spain.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Mañé
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Pedrosa
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Lorén
authors.forename: M A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Gassull
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Espadaler
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Cuñé
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Audivert
authors.forename: M A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Bonachera
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Cabré
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000453:epidemiology; D016207:Cytokines / Q000097:blood; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D023381:Endpoint Determination; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007109:Immunity / Q000187:drug effects*; D007326:Institutionalization; D048191:Lactiplantibacillus plantarum; D007958:Leukocyte Count; D008297:Male; D009026:Mortality; D010865:Pilot Projects; D019936:Probiotics / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016019:Survival Analysis
chemical_list: D016207:Cytokines