title: The effects of non-viable Lactobacillus on immune function in the elderly: a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled study.
abstract: Forty-two participants in two nursing homes who were ≥65 years of age were randomised to receive a jelly containing 10 billion heat-killed Lactobacillus paracasei MCC1849 cells (LP group) or a placebo jelly without lactobacilli (placebo group) for 6 weeks. Three weeks after beginning jelly intake, all subjects received an influenza vaccination (A/H1N1, A/H2N3 and B). Blood samples were collected before and after the treatment period. There were no significant differences in immune parameters, including in antibody responses against the vaccination, between the groups. In the subgroup of the oldest old, defined as ≥85 years of age (n = 27), the antibody responses to the A/H1N1 and B antigens, which were impaired in the placebo group, were improved in the LP group. No significant effects of non-viable L. paracasei MCC1849 were observed in the elderly. A possible beneficial effect in the oldest old should be explored in further large-scale studies.
authors.affiliation: a Tanashi Hospital , Tokyo , Japan ;
authors.forename: Michio
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Maruyama
authors.affiliation: a Tanashi Hospital , Tokyo , Japan ;
authors.forename: Ryoji
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Abe
authors.affiliation: b Clinico Co., Ltd. , Tokyo , Japan ;
authors.forename: Tomohiro
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Shimono
authors.affiliation: c Morinaga Milk Industry Co., Ltd. , Food Science and Technology Institute , Kanagawa , Japan.
authors.forename: Noriyuki
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Iwabuchi
authors.affiliation: c Morinaga Milk Industry Co., Ltd. , Food Science and Technology Institute , Kanagawa , Japan.
authors.forename: Fumiaki
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Abe
authors.affiliation: c Morinaga Milk Industry Co., Ltd. , Food Science and Technology Institute , Kanagawa , Japan.
authors.forename: Jin-Zhong
authors.initials: JZ
authors.lastname: Xiao
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000906:Antibodies / Q000097:blood; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007109:Immunity; D053118:Influenza A Virus, H1N1 Subtype; D009981:Influenza B virus; D007252:Influenza Vaccines; D007251:Influenza, Human / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000821:virology; D007778:Lactobacillus; D008297:Male; D019936:Probiotics; D014611:Vaccination
chemical_list: D000906:Antibodies; D007252:Influenza Vaccines
keywords: Antibody titre; Lactobacillus paracasei; immunosenescence; oldest old; vaccination