Evaluation of the immune benefits of two probiotic strains Bifidobacterium animalis ssp. lactis , BB-12 ® and Lactobacillus paracasei ssp. paracasei , L. casei 431 ® in an influenza vaccination model: a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled study

• Published in: British journal of nutrition Vol. 107; no. 6; pp. 876 - 884
• Main Authors: Rizzardini, Giuliano, Eskesen, Dorte, Calder, Philip C., Capetti, Amedeo, Jespersen, Lillian, Clerici, Mario
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Cambridge University Press 28.03.2012
• Subjects: Adult; antibodies; Antibody Specificity; Bifidobacterium - immunology; Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis; cytokines; Double-Blind Method; Female; females; Humans; Immune response; Immune system; Immunity, Humoral; immunoglobulin A; immunoglobulin G; Immunoglobulin G - analysis; Incidence; influenza; Influenza Vaccines - blood; Influenza Vaccines - immunology; Influenza, Human - epidemiology; Influenza, Human - immunology; Influenza, Human - prevention & control; Italy - epidemiology; Lactobacillus - immunology; Lactobacillus paracasei subsp. paracasei; Male; Middle Aged; mucosal immunity; Patient Compliance; Patient Dropouts; placebos; Probiotics; Probiotics - adverse effects; Probiotics - therapeutic use; saliva; Saliva - immunology; Saliva - metabolism; vaccination; Vaccines; Young Adult; Italy
• ISSN: 0007-1145; 1475-2662; 1475-2662
• DOI: 10.1017/S000711451100420X

The present study investigated the ability of Bifidobacterium animalis ssp. lactis (BB-12 ® ) and Lactobacillus paracasei ssp. paracasei (L. casei 431 ® ) to modulate the immune system using a vaccination model in healthy subjects. A randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group study was conducted in 211 subjects (56 % females, mean age 33·2 ( sd 13·1) years). Subjects consumed a minimum of 10 9 colony-forming units of BB-12 ® (capsule) or L. casei 431 ® (dairy drink) or a matching placebo once daily for 6 weeks. After 2 weeks, a seasonal influenza vaccination was given. Plasma and saliva samples were collected at baseline and after 6 weeks for the analysis of antibodies, cytokines and innate immune parameters. Changes from baseline in vaccine-specific plasma IgG, IgG1 and IgG3 were significantly greater in both probiotic groups v. the corresponding placebo group (L. casei 431 ® , P  = 0·01 for IgG; P  < 0·001 for remaining comparisons). The number of subjects obtaining a substantial increase in specific IgG (defined as ≥ 2-fold above baseline) was significantly greater in both probiotic groups v. placebo (BB-12 ® , P  < 0·001 for IgG, IgG1 and IgG3; L. casei 431 ® , P  < 0·001 for IgG1 and IgG3). Significantly greater mean fold increases for vaccine-specific secretory IgA in saliva were observed in both probiotic groups v. placebo (BB-12 ® , P  = 0·017; L. casei 431 ® , P  = 0·035). Similar results were observed for total antibody concentrations. No differences were found for plasma cytokines or innate immune parameters. Data herein show that supplementation with BB-12 ® or L. casei 431 ® may be an effective means to improve immune function by augmenting systemic and mucosal immune responses to challenge.