title: Effects of Bifidobacterium supplementation on intestinal microbiota composition and the immune response in healthy infants.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Intestinal microbiotas are thought to be the most important source of maturational stimuli to the development of the immune system. However, few studies have focused on the development of T helper (Th) 1 immune response and antibody response to vaccinations in healthy infants, especially in a large cohort. Through this randomized, double-blind control trial, we investigated the effects of Bifidobacterium longum BB536 (BB536) supplementation on intestinal microbiota composition and the immune response in term infants.
  
  
  METHODS
  In total, 300 healthy newborns were recruited, randomized and fed formula either supplemented with BB536 or with no supplementation. Stool samples were analyzed at months 2, 4 and 11. The representative cytokine for Th1 [interferon-γ (IFN-γ)] and Th2 [interleukin-4 (IL-4)] secretion cells were measured using enzyme-linked immunospot assay at 4 and 7 months of age. The antibody response to vaccines was measured at months 7 and 11.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 264 infants completed the study. The amount of bifidobacteria and the bifidobacteria/ Enterobacteriaceae ratio (B/E) were significantly higher in the BB536 supplementation group at months 2 and 4. The number of IFN-γ secretion cells and the ratio of IFN-γ/IL-4 secretion cells were increased in the BB536 supplementation group at 7 months. Moreover, the higher value of B/E in the early stages seems to be related to the increased Th1 response. No difference was observed between groups in the antibody response after vaccination.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  BB536 has positive effects on establishing a healthy intestinal microbiota early in life, and it also plays an important role in improving the Th1 immune response.
authors.affiliation: Pediatrics Institute, Key Laboratory of Neonatal Diseases, Ministry of Health, Children's Hospital of Fudan University, 399 Wanyuan Road, Shanghai, 201102, China.
authors.forename: Bing-Bing
authors.initials: BB
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.affiliation: Pediatrics Institute, Key Laboratory of Neonatal Diseases, Ministry of Health, Children's Hospital of Fudan University, 399 Wanyuan Road, Shanghai, 201102, China.
authors.forename: Yi
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatric Healthcare, Children's Hospital of Fudan University, 399 Wanyuan Road, Shanghai, 201102, China.
authors.forename: Xiu
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Xu
authors.affiliation: Pediatrics Institute, Key Laboratory of Neonatal Diseases, Ministry of Health, Children's Hospital of Fudan University, 399 Wanyuan Road, Shanghai, 201102, China. wpwang@fudan.edu.cn.
authors.forename: Wei-Ping
authors.initials: WP
authors.lastname: Wang
mesh_terms: D001644:Bifidobacterium; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D000069196:Gastrointestinal Microbiome; D006801:Humans; D007111:Immunity, Cellular; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D006377:T-Lymphocytes, Helper-Inducer / Q000276:immunology*
keywords: T helper 1/T helper 2 balance; intestinal microbiota; probiotics supplementation; term infants; vaccination
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