Effects of seven potential probiotic strains on specific immune responses in healthy adults: a double-blind, randomized, controlled trial.

2008-06
FEMS immunology and medical microbiology 53(1)
- Damien Paineau
- Didier Carcano
- Greg Leyer
- Sylviane Darquy
- Marie-Alexandra Alyanakian
- Guy Simoneau
- Jean-François Bergmann
- Dominique Brassart
- Francis Bornet
- Arthur C Ouwehand

PubMed: 18422632
DOI: 10.1111/j.1574-695x.2008.00413.x

Study Design

Type: Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT)
Population: 83 healthy volunteers aged 18-62 years
Methods: consumed 2 x 10(10) CFU of bacteria or a placebo (maltodextrin) over 3 weeks (D0-D21); received an oral cholera vaccine at D7 and at D14; blood and saliva samples collected at D0, D21 and D28; analyzed by ELISA; statistical analyses based on Wilcoxon's signed-rank test and exact median t-test
Blinding: Double-blind
Duration: 3 weeks
Funding: Unclear

Highly Cited

This pilot study investigated the immunomodulatory properties of seven probiotic strains. Eighty-three healthy volunteers aged 18-62 years consumed 2 x 10(10) CFU of bacteria or a placebo (maltodextrin) over 3 weeks (D0-D21). Subjects received an oral cholera vaccine at D7 and at D14; blood and saliva samples were collected at D0, D21 and D28. Serum samples were analyzed for specific IgA, IgG and IgM, and saliva samples were analyzed for specific IgA only, by ELISA. Statistical analyses were based on Wilcoxon's signed-rank test (intragroup analyses) and exact median t-test (intergroup analyses). Salivary analysis showed no difference in specific IgA concentrations between groups. Serum analysis indicated an effect of some of the tested strains on specific humoral responses. Between D0 and D21, IgG increased in two probiotic groups, for example, Bifidobacterium lactis Bl-04 and Lactobacillus acidophilus La-14, compared with controls (P=0.01). Trends toward significant changes in immunoglobulin serum concentrations compared with controls (P<0.1) were found for six out of the seven probiotic strains. In conclusion, some strains of probiotics demonstrated a faster immune response measured with serum immunoglobulin indicators, especially IgG, although overall vaccination was not influenced. Specific strains of probiotics may thus act as adjuvants to the humoral immune response following oral vaccination.

Research Insights

Bifidobacterium lactis Bl-04→Increased Immunoglobulin A Levels
Salivary analysis showed no difference in specific IgA concentrations between groups.
Effect
Neutral
Effect size
Small
Dose
2 x 10^10 CFU
Bifidobacterium lactis Bl-04→Increased Immunoglobulin G Levels
Between D0 and D21, IgG increased in two probiotic groups, for example, Bifidobacterium lactis Bl-04 and Lactobacillus acidophilus La-14, compared with controls (P=0.01).
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Small
Dose
2 x 10^10 CFU
Bifidobacterium lactis Bl-04→Increased Immunoglobulin M Levels
Trends toward significant changes in immunoglobulin serum concentrations compared with controls (P<0.1) were found for six out of the seven probiotic strains.
Effect
Neutral
Effect size
Small
Dose
2 x 10^10 CFU
Lactobacillus acidophilus La-14→Increased Immunoglobulin A Levels
Salivary analysis showed no difference in specific IgA concentrations between groups.
Effect
Neutral
Effect size
Small
Dose
2 x 10^10 CFU
Lactobacillus acidophilus La-14→Increased Immunoglobulin G Levels
Between D0 and D21, IgG increased in two probiotic groups, for example, Bifidobacterium lactis Bl-04 and Lactobacillus acidophilus La-14, compared with controls (P=0.01).
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Small
Dose
2 x 10^10 CFU
Lactobacillus acidophilus La-14→Increased Immunoglobulin M Levels
Trends toward significant changes in immunoglobulin serum concentrations compared with controls (P<0.1) were found for six out of the seven probiotic strains.
Effect
Neutral
Effect size
Small
Dose
2 x 10^10 CFU