title: Effect of yoghurt containing Bifidobacterium lactis Bb12® on faecal excretion of secretory immunoglobulin A and human beta-defensin 2 in healthy adult volunteers.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Probiotics are used to provide health benefits. The present study tested the effect of a probiotic yoghurt on faecal output of beta-defensin and immunoglobulin A in a group of young healthy women eating a defined diet.
  
  
  RESULTS
  26 women aged 18-21 (median 19) years residing in a hostel were given 200 ml normal yoghurt every day for a week, followed by probiotic yoghurt containing Bifidobacterium lactis Bb12® (10⁹ in 200 ml) for three weeks, followed again by normal yoghurt for four weeks. Stool samples were collected at 0, 4 and 8 weeks and assayed for immunoglobulin A and human beta-defensin-2 by ELISA. All participants tolerated both normal and probiotic yoghurt well. Human beta-defensin-2 levels in faeces were not altered during the course of the study. On the other hand, compared to the basal sample, faecal IgA increased during probiotic feeding (P = 0.0184) and returned to normal after cessation of probiotic yoghurt intake.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Bifidobacterium lactis Bb12® increased secretory IgA output in faeces. This property may explain the ability of probiotics to prevent gastrointestinal and lower respiratory tract infections.
authors.affiliation: Department of Gastrointestinal Sciences & Dietary Services, Christian Medical College, Vellore, India.
authors.forename: Jayakanthan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kabeerdoss
authors.forename: R Shobana
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Devi
authors.forename: R Regina
authors.initials: RR
authors.lastname: Mary
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Prabhavathi
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Vidya
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Mechenro
authors.forename: N V
authors.initials: NV
authors.lastname: Mahendri
authors.forename: Srinivasan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Pugazhendhi
authors.forename: Balakrishnan S
authors.initials: BS
authors.lastname: Ramakrishna
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001644:Bifidobacterium; D004032:Diet; D005243:Feces / Q000737:chemistry*; D005260:Female; D005516:Food Microbiology; D005767:Gastrointestinal Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control; D006293:Health Promotion; D006801:Humans; D007071:Immunoglobulin A, Secretory / Q000032:analysis* / Q000187:drug effects; D007194:India; D019936:Probiotics; D012141:Respiratory Tract Infections / Q000517:prevention & control; D015014:Yogurt / Q000382:microbiology*; D055815:Young Adult; D023083:beta-Defensins / Q000032:analysis* / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: C106641:DEFB4A protein, human; D007071:Immunoglobulin A, Secretory; D023083:beta-Defensins