title: Evaluation of the immune benefits of two probiotic strains Bifidobacterium animalis ssp. lactis, BB-12® and Lactobacillus paracasei ssp. paracasei, L. casei 431® in an influenza vaccination model: a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled study.
abstract: The present study investigated the ability of Bifidobacterium animalis ssp. lactis (BB-12®) and Lactobacillus paracasei ssp. paracasei (L. casei 431®) to modulate the immune system using a vaccination model in healthy subjects. A randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group study was conducted in 211 subjects (56 % females, mean age 33·2 (sd 13·1) years). Subjects consumed a minimum of 10⁹ colony-forming units of BB-12® (capsule) or L. casei 431® (dairy drink) or a matching placebo once daily for 6 weeks. After 2 weeks, a seasonal influenza vaccination was given. Plasma and saliva samples were collected at baseline and after 6 weeks for the analysis of antibodies, cytokines and innate immune parameters. Changes from baseline in vaccine-specific plasma IgG, IgG1 and IgG3 were significantly greater in both probiotic groups v. the corresponding placebo group (L. casei 431®, P = 0·01 for IgG; P < 0·001 for remaining comparisons). The number of subjects obtaining a substantial increase in specific IgG (defined as ≥ 2-fold above baseline) was significantly greater in both probiotic groups v. placebo (BB-12®, P < 0·001 for IgG, IgG1 and IgG3; L. casei 431®, P < 0·001 for IgG1 and IgG3). Significantly greater mean fold increases for vaccine-specific secretory IgA in saliva were observed in both probiotic groups v. placebo (BB-12®, P = 0·017; L. casei 431®, P = 0·035). Similar results were observed for total antibody concentrations. No differences were found for plasma cytokines or innate immune parameters. Data herein show that supplementation with BB-12® or L. casei 431® may be an effective means to improve immune function by augmenting systemic and mucosal immune responses to challenge.
authors: Department of Infective Diseases, Luigi Sacco Hospital, Via GB Grassi 74, 20157 Milan, Italy.
authors: Giuliano
authors: G
authors: Rizzardini
authors: Dorte
authors: D
authors: Eskesen
authors: Philip C
authors: PC
authors: Calder
authors: Amedeo
authors: A
authors: Capetti
authors: Lillian
authors: L
authors: Jespersen
authors: Mario
authors: M
authors: Clerici
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000918:Antibody Specificity; D001644:Bifidobacterium / Q000276:immunology*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D056724:Immunity, Humoral; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000032:analysis; D015994:Incidence; D007252:Influenza Vaccines / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology*; D007251:Influenza, Human / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000276:immunology / Q000517:prevention & control; D007558:Italy / Q000453:epidemiology; D007778:Lactobacillus / Q000276:immunology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010349:Patient Compliance; D010352:Patient Dropouts; D019936:Probiotics / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012463:Saliva / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D007252:Influenza Vaccines