Table 4.
Immunological effect of Probiotics.
| Author; Published Year; Country |
Nutrient | Study design; Duration; Jadad score |
Study population; Sample size (I/C); Male/Female; Age (years) |
Intervention; Control; Dose/Frequency |
Purpose | Significant anti-viral outcome |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Akatsu et al. [73] 2013; Japan |
Probiotic Bifidobacterium longum (BB536) |
R, DB, PC; 12 weeks; 5 points |
Elderly fed by enteral tube; 23/22; 13; 32 >65 |
IG: BB536 powder 2 g/sachet CG: Placebo powder (an internal matrix, consisting mainly of dextrin), 2 g/sachet 1 sachet two times/day (4 g/day) |
Study effects of supplementation with Bifidobacterium longum on immune function and intestinal microbiota in elderly | Clinical: NA Immunological: BB536 intake significantly increased cell numbers of bifidobacteria in faecal microbiota. There was a tendency toward an increase of serum IgA in IG compared with CG. BB536 intake did not significantly affect hemagglutination inhibition titres in response to influenza vaccine. NK cell activity decreased significantly in CG but not in IG. |
| Berggren et al. [70] 2011; Sweden |
Probiotic lactobacilli Lactobacillus plantarum HEAL 9 (DSM 15312) and Lactobacillus paracasei 8700:2 (DSM 13434) |
R, DB, PC; 12 weeks; 4 points |
Healthy participants; 137/135; 92/180 18–65y |
IG: Probiotic sachet, Lyophilised lactobacilli and maltodextrin, 1g sachet CG: Placebo powder (maltodextrin), 1 g/sachet 1 sachet/day (1 g/day) |
Investigate whether consumption of probiotic lactobacilli could affect naturally acquired common cold infections in healthy subjects. | Clinical: Incidence of acquiring one or more common cold episode, number of days with common cold symptoms and total symptom score was reduced significantly in IG. Reduction in pharyngeal symptoms was significant. Immunological: Proliferation of B lymphocytes was significantly counteracted in IG in comparison with CG. |
| Boge et al. [71] 2009; France |
Probiotic Actimel® A fermented dairy drink with probiotic strain Lactobacillus casei DN-114001 (CNCMI-1518), combined with ferments in yoghurt, Streptococcus thermophilus and Lactobacillus bulgaricus |
R, DB, C; 13 weeks; 5 points |
Healthy elderly participants; 113/109; 74/148 ≥70y |
IG: Actimel® 100 g/bottle CG: a non-fermented control dairy product 100 g/bottle Two bottle/day (200 g/day) |
Investigate effect of regular consumption of probiotic drink Actimel® on specific antibody responses to influenza vaccination in healthy elderly. | Clinical: NA Immunological: Titres against the influenza B strain increased significantly more in the IG. Significant differences in seroconversion between the groups by intended to treat analysis were still found 5 months after vaccination. |
| de Vrese et al. [72] 2006; Germany |
Probiotic bacteria Lactobacillus gasseri PA 16/8, Bifidobacterium longum SP 07/3, Bifidobacterium bifidum MF 20/5 |
R, DB, PC; 3 and 5 months (2 winter/spring periods); 3 points |
Healthy participants; 158/153; Both genders; 18–67 |
IG: Tablet with spray dried probiotic 5 × 107 cfu plus vitamins and minerals CG: Tablet with vitamin minerals only 1 tablet/day |
Investigate the effect of long-term consumption of probiotic bacteria on viral respiratory tract infections | Clinical: Intake of probiotic had no effect on incidence of common cold infections, but significantly shortened duration of episodes by almost 2 days and reduced the severity of symptoms. Immunological: IG had a larger increase in cytotoxic T plus T suppressor cell counts and in T helper cell counts. |
BB536 – Bifidobacterium longum 536; CG – Control group; DB – Double blind; IG – Interventional group; IgA – Immunoglobulin A; NA – Not applicable; NK – Natural killer cells; PC – Placebo controlled; R – Randomized.