The immune enhancing properties of Lactobacillus acidophilus LAFTI L10 and Lactobacillus paracasei LAFTI L26 in mice were investigated. Each mouse (BALB/c) was orally fed with cultures of either L. acidophilus or L. paracasei at 10(8) CFU/50 mul per day for 14 days. The effect of these strains on immunoglobulin A, interleukin-10 and interferon gamma producing cells in the gut immune system was determined by immunofluorescence assays. Systemic immune responses were analysed in mice serum upon euthanising after a 14-day feeding trial to estimate cytokines such as IL-10 and IFN-gamma by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. L. acidophilus and L. paracasei strains demonstrated an increase in the number of IgA producing cells, IL-10 and IFN-gamma cytokine producing cells in the small intestine. In the systemic immune response, mice fed with L. acidophilus or L. paracasei also enhanced the secretion of anti-inflammatory cytokine (IL-10) and pro-inflammatory cytokine (IFN-gamma). The results of this study suggest that L. acidophilus and L. paracasei were able to enhance specific gut and systemic immune responses in mice.
Animals Colony Count, Microbial