Consumption of Dairy Yogurt Containing Lactobacillus paracasei ssp. paracasei, Bifidobacterium animalis ssp. lactis and Heat-Treated Lactobacillus plantarum Improves Immune Function Including Natural Killer Cell Activity

2017-05-31
Nutrients 9(6)

PubMed: 28561762
DOI: 10.3390/nu9060558

Study Design

Type: Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT)
Sample size: n = 200
Population: Nondiabetic subjects
Methods: Randomized, open-label, placebo-controlled study

Highly Cited

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of consuming dairy yogurt containing Lactobacillus paracasei ssp. paracasei (L. paracasei), Bifidobacterium animalis ssp. lactis (B. lactis) and heat-treated Lactobacillus plantarum (L. plantarum) on immune function. A randomized, open-label, placebo-controlled study was conducted on 200 nondiabetic subjects. Over a twelve-week period, the test group consumed dairy yogurt containing probiotics each day, whereas the placebo group consumed milk. Natural killer (NK) cell activity, interleukin (IL)-12 and immunoglobulin (Ig) G1 levels were significantly increased in the test group at twelve weeks compared to baseline. Additionally, the test group had significantly greater increases in serum NK cell activity and interferon (IFN)-γ and IgG1 than placebo group. Daily consumption of dairy yogurt containing L. paracasei, B. lactis and heat-treated L. plantarum could be an effective option to improve immune function by enhancing NK cell function and IFN-γ concentration (ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT03051425).

Keywords: IFN-γ; NK cell activity; immune function; probiotics.

Research Insights

Bifidobacterium lactis MAK16B42L→Improved Immune Function
Natural killer (NK) cell activity, interleukin (IL)-12 and immunoglobulin (Ig) G1 levels were significantly increased in the test group at twelve weeks compared to baseline. Additionally, the test group had significantly greater increases in serum NK cell activity and interferon (IFN)-γ and IgG1 than placebo group.
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Large
Lactobacillus plantarum DR7→Improved Immune Function
Natural killer (NK) cell activity, interleukin (IL)-12 and immunoglobulin (Ig) G1 levels were significantly increased in the test group at twelve weeks compared to baseline. Additionally, the test group had significantly greater increases in serum NK cell activity and interferon (IFN)-γ and IgG1 than placebo group.
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Large
Lactobacillus plantarum KABP-061→Enhanced Natural Killer Cell Activity
Additionally, the test group had significantly greater increases in serum NK cell activity and interferon (IFN)-γ and IgG1 than placebo group.
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Large
Lactobacillus plantarum KABP-061→Improved Immune Function
Natural killer (NK) cell activity, interleukin (IL)-12 and immunoglobulin (Ig) G1 levels were significantly increased in the test group at twelve weeks compared to baseline. Additionally, the test group had significantly greater increases in serum NK cell activity and interferon (IFN)-γ and IgG1 than placebo group.
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Large
Lactobacillus plantarum KABP-061→Increased Interferon-Gamma Levels
Additionally, the test group had significantly greater increases in serum NK cell activity and interferon (IFN)-γ and IgG1 than placebo group.
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Large
Lactobacillus plantarum UALp-05M→Improved Immune Cell Function
The test group had significantly greater increases in serum NK cell activity.
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Large
Lactobacillus plantarum UALp-05M→Improved Immune Function
Natural killer (NK) cell activity, interleukin (IL)-12 and immunoglobulin (Ig) G1 levels were significantly increased in the test group at twelve weeks compared to baseline. Additionally, the test group had significantly greater increases in serum NK cell activity and interferon (IFN)-γ and IgG1 than placebo group.
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Large