Metchnikoff

Metchnikoff (1883) recognized the role of cell types (phagocytes) which were responsible for the engulfinent and digestion of microorganisms. They are a major line of defence against microbes that breach the initial barriers described above. Two types of phagocytic cells are found in the blood, both of which are derived from the totipotent bone marrow stem cell. 

The health-promoting effect of lactobacilli was first hypothesized by Metchnikoff at the beginning of the last century (Metchnikoff 1905). In the last four decades there have been growing attempts to improve the health status of the indigenous intestinal flora by living microbial adjuncts, probiotics. Salminen and coworkers (1999) proposed that probiotics are microbial cell preparations or components of microbial cells that have beneficial effect on the health and well-being of the host. The probiotics do not have to be viable as nonviable forms of probiotics have also been shown to exert health-promoting effect. 

Metchnikoff, E. 1905. Immunity in the Infectious Diseases, Binnie, F.G. (transl.), Cambridge University Press, Cambridge. 

Metchnikoff, E., The Prolongation of Life, E.P. Putman s Sons, New York, 1907. 

However, the central paradox in our consideration of inflammatory disease is that the inflammatory response evolved as a highly effective component of the innate immune response of the body to infection or injury. Indeed, until the last two or three decades, inflammation was perceived as an entirely beneficial host response to injury or infection. Elias Metchnikoff, the fether of modern inflammatory cell biology, emphasized this concept in his work. Neutrophil and eosinophil granulocytes play key defensive roles in infections such as lobar streptococcal pneumonia and in parasitic infestations such as schistosomiasis. The acute inflammatory response in... 

Metchnikoff, E. (1891). Lectures on the comparative pathology of inflammation. Lecture VII. Delivered at the Pasteur Institute in 1891 (transl. Starling, F.A. and Starling, E.H. (1968). Dover, New York). 

In 1908 Elie Metchnikoff was awarded the Nobel Prize for his work with the lactic acid bacteria (LAB). He reported that populations that ingested soured milk such as the Bulgarians were known for their longevity. He studied intestinal microflora and reported that LAB were beneficial to human health, making him the first scientist to report benefits of these organisms. Since then, numerous scientists have studied not only the health benefits associated with the LAB, but also the concept of microbial antagonism of the LAB toward food-borne pathogens. 

Since the first scientific explanation of the favorable effects of soured milk products in humans by Metchnikoff (1907) at the beginning of the twentieth century, the most beneficial part of the intestinal flora is suggested to be LAB. LAB are also the most common organisms used for commercial DFM preparations (Anonymous, 1990 Tuschy, 1986). The emphasis on the LAB stems from evidence that LAB play a central role in the gut flora that enables them to influence the composition of the flora to the benefits of the host. The stomach of the neonatal pigs is shown to be colonized by Lactobacillus and Streptococci within 48 hours after birth (Dulcuzeau, 1985). Similarly, in newborn calves one of the first groups of microorganisms in the rumen is LAB (Nousiainen and Setala, 1993). Studies show that when the gut flora develops after birth, as the lactobacilli increase, other components of the flora decrease (Smith, 1965). The claims made for DFM effects of LAB in farm animals are many and varied. 

Metchnikoff, E. (1901). In LTmmunite dans les malades infec-tieuses. Masson, Paris. 

While many scientists object to some of the evidence and many of the conclusions which Metchnikoff gave in his book, The Prolongation of Life, still we have to admit that Metchnikoff set a high aim for himself when he undertook to find out how to make tee average human life both longer and stronger. His studies certainly have inspired other men to greater efforts in this direction. 

Metchnikoff s theory of longevity was unique in teat it was a bold interpretation of a few well known facts. His theory was originally inspired by his observation of the large number of old people who were found among the inhabitants of the Balkan States. In searching for... 

Following Metchnikoff s work and book there was much attention... 

Metchnikoff has given the name of cyto-toxins to the active substances contained m these serums. They have been studied by this investigator as well as by Bordet, Lansteiner, Moxter and others. These different investigators have recognized that these cyto-toxic serums are composed of specific cyto-aggluiinins and cyto-lysins, these last requiring in order to act the concurrence of alexin, common to all fresh or prepared serums, exactly as was previously necessary for the action of hamolysin or of bacteriol-... 

---