Evaluation of in vitro antagonism and of in vivo immune modulation and protection against pathogenic experimental challenge of two probiotic strains of Bifidobacterium animalis var. lactis

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to compare the effect of intragastric administration with two strains of Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis (Bifido A and Bifido B), in gnotobiotic and conventional mice, challenged with Salmonella Typhimurium. In vitro antagonism test showed that the two strains were able to produce antagonistic substances against various pathogenic microorganisms. In an ex vivo antagonism test the production of antagonistic substances was observed only against three out ten pathogens tested. Both Bifidobacterium strains were able to colonize and to maintain high population levels in the digestive tract of gnotobiotic mice. In addition, the two strains had low and limited translocation ability and did not cause any histological lesion in any of the organs analyzed. Both strains were able to reduce the fecal number of Salmonella in gnotobiotic mice challenged with the pathogen, but only Bifido B was able to confer a protection as demonstrated by a lower mortality. Higher levels of sIgA and IL-10 were observed only in Bifido B mono-associated mice when compared to germ free group. We could conclude that, among the parameters analyzed, the strain Bifido B exhibited the more desirable characteristics to be used as a probiotic.

Benefits of Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis Probiotic in Experimental Periodontitis

“…In a recent clinical study, administration of probiotic lactic acid bacteria to patients with chronic periodontitis decreased the levels of IL‐1β in gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) 33 . Other studies also demonstrated that probiotic bacteria of the genus Bifidobacterium can increase levels of IL‐10 in non‐periodontal sites 34 , 35 . IL‐10 exerts inhibitory effects on IL‐1β and tumor necrosis factor‐alpha, which play synergistic roles in the inflammatory process, amplifying the host response 36 .…”

Effects of the probiotic Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis on the non-surgical treatment of periodontitis. A histomorphometric, microtomographic and immunohistochemical study in rats

“…Higher levels of IL-10 were also observed in colon of gnotobiotic mice challenged with Salmonella typhimurium and treated with B . lactis [26]. IL-10 is capable of inhibiting IL-1β and tumor necrosis factor-α, which present synergistic actions on inflammatory processes, amplifying the host response [27].…”

The Role of Probiotics and Prebiotics in Inducing Gut Immunity

“…S. cerevisiae 905 induced a reduction in the levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines and modulated the activation of signaling pathways, such as the mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38 and JNK), NF-κB, and AP-1 pathways, which are involved in the transcriptional activation of pro-inflammatory mediators in the intestine (152). In addition, the probiotic treatment elevated the levels of secretory IgA in the intestine and of IgA and IgM in the serum and the production of the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 in the intestine (153). Furthermore, Matins and collaborators demonstrated in vitro and in vivo that probiotic therapies could be useful as adjuvant when treating gastrointestinal diseases.…”