Immune system probiotics

Scharek L., Guth J., Reiter K., Weyrauch K.D., Taras D., Schwerk P., Schierack P., Schmidt M.F.G., WielerL.H. andTedinK. (2005). Influence of a probiotic Enterococcus faecium strain on development of the immune system of sows and piglets . Vet Immunol... 

Nestle Nutrition Services. (1999). Normal microbial flora of the gut and the immune system. In "Probiotics, Other Nutritional Factors, and Intestinal Microflora." (Lars A. Hanson and Robert H. Yolken, eds.), pp. 217-228. Lippincott-Raven, Philadelphia. 

Undemutrition during fetal and early life impacts upon the development of the immune organs and appears to diminish cellular immunity and increase the risk of atopic disorders during childhood (Langley-Evans and Carrington 2006). The references confirm that many food components have a beneficial impact on various elements of the immune system. Proteins, some fats, vitamins (A, B6, E, and folic acid), macro- and microelements (zinc, iron, selenium, and copper), and certain bacteria (probiotic bacteria), for example, have a considerable effect on the immune system. 

Probiotic bacteria are an important group of microorganisms, as they have a beneficial effect on the digestive tract and, consequently, the immune system (GALT)... 

Using the ELISA (with avidin-biotin bridges) and ELISPOT methods a stimulating effect of selected probiotic bacteria (Bifidobacterium longum, B animalis, Lactobacillus easel, L. salivarius) on the immune system of the rat and mouse has been demonstrated (higher level of specific as well as total IgGa and IgA content) (Nagy et al., 2002). 

Roessler, (nee Klein) A., Friedrich, U., Vogelsang, H., Bauer, A., Kaatz, M., Hipler, U.C., Schmidt, I., and Jahreis, G. 2008. The immune system in healthy adults and patients with atopic dermatitis seems to be affected differently by a probiotic intervention. Clin... 

Galdeano, C. M. and Perdigon, G. (2006). The probiotic bacterium Lactobacillus casei induces activation of the gut mucosal immune system through innate immunity. Clin. Vaccine Immunol. 13(2), 219-226. 

A critical criterion of selection is that the probiotic strain must be tolerated by the immune system and should not provoke the formation of antibodies against the probiotic. This latter property, in conjunction with the ability of some LAB to survive and colonize in the gut, has given rise to further applications, which involve their use as live vectors for oral immunization, i.e., introducing antigens targeting the GALT and aiming to induce a mucosal immune response (Marteau and Rambaud, 1993). 

Novel foods include those providing protein (soy and dairy), and those that are intended to improve cardiovascular health (stanol esters, P-glucan, bioactive peptides, and n-3 fatty acids), bone and joint health (calcium, glucosamine, and chondroitin), eye health (lutein), the immune system (milkmicronutrients, lactoferrin, lactoperoxidase, and colostrum), gut health (probiotics and prebiotics), body fitness (conjugated linoleic acid, amino acids, and glyco-macropeptide), energy level, and for beauty. 

There is increasing evidence that the interaction between the intestinal microbiota and the intestinal epithelial and immune cells plays a key role in the postnatal development of the immune system. First studies with probiotics (74) and synbio-tics (40) demonstrate effects during infancy, and studies regarding the vaccination response in the elderly (75) indicate that the prebiotics might also influence the immune system. In particular, the animal experiments with prebiotics described above allow the hypothesis that prebiotics that are able to influence the composition of the entire intestinal microbiota toward microbiota found in breastfed infants might support the development of the immune system during infancy. 

Probiotic bacteria differ on the basis of genus, species, and strains. Indeed, strains of the same species vary widely in traits such as expression of enzymes, types of inhibitors produced, carbohydrate fermentation patterns, resistance to acid and bile, ability to colonize the gastrointestinal tract, and clinical efficacy (Berg, 1996 Norat et al., 2002). Furthermore, the active principle has not always been associated with live bacteria, as some immune system modulation activities and macromolecular degradation have been linked to nonviable bacterial components such as enzyme activities or fermentation products (Huttner and Bevins, 1999). 

Probiotics are live microorganisms recognized as good or friendly bacteria, which settle in the intestine medium and render healthful effects on the host. Thus, these live microorganisms can improve microbial balances in intestine and exert positive effects on the host. Various health benefits have been attributed to probiotics such as antimutagenic and anticarcinogenic properties, antiinfection properties, immune system stimulation, and serum cholesterol reduction. " Lactobacillus and bifidobacteria are the most commonly used probiotics and are extensively investigated for their beneficial importance. ... 

There are many scientific evidences, supported by clinical studies, on the efficacy of probiotics in the prevention and treatment of gastrointestinal disorders, respiratory, and urogenital diseases. Many microbial strains with probiotic properties are able not only to restore the intestinal microbial balance, but also to impart other beneficial effects on health, associated with the production of acids, bacteriocins and with the competition with pathogenic microorganisms. Among these, the main effects are the reduction of the level of cholesterol in the blood, the reduction of fecal enzymes, with potentially mutagenic activity that can induce the onset of tumors, the reduction of lactose intolerance, the increase of the response of the immune system, the increase of calcium absorption, and synthesis of vitamins. ... 

The preparations are featured with combining probiotics and prebiotics (mannans and glucans on cell walls of yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae), and phytobiotics of the medicinal plants - Echinacea purpurea and holy thistle. Echinacea has immunomodulatory properties. Echinacea preparations exhibit antibacterial, antiviral and antifungal properties. When intaking the Echinacea preparations at metabolic disorders, at the impact of different chemical compounds of toxic nature, contained in the feed (heavy metals, pesticides, insecticides, fungicides), a stimulation of the immune system has been observed. 

However, the probiotic concept should be interpreted very carefully, particularly when one considers how the numerous different members of the gut microbiota and the highly complex interactions that occur within this vast microbial consortium may affect the metabolism and the immune-system of the host. The intestinal microbiota and its host enjoy a "fluctuating" relationship that depends on the type of bacterial species present. Symbiotic components may be present where both partners derive benefit from this relationship, but this may turn into commensalism where only a single partner enjoys a positive effect from the interaction. ... 

To persist to the colon, probiotic strains must show a degree of resistance to gastric acid, mammalian enzymes and bile secretions. It may be of less importance if the mode of probiotic activity is stimulation of the immune system, where the requirement for cell viability and metabolic activity in the gastrointestinal tract is not as relevant. 

Certain probiotic strains have been shown to stimulate the immune system in a beneficial, non-inflammatory manner. Such strains have also been shown to relieve the symptoms of allergic conditions such as atopic eczema and bovine milk protein intolerance in human feeding studies. The mechanisms underlying such beneficial modulation of immune response have not yet been fully elucidated. 

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