Modulation of IL‐12 and IFNγ by probiotic supplementation promotes protection against Toxocara canis infection in mice

Abstract

In this study, supplementation with the probiotic Saccharomyces boulardii promoted a reduction in intensity of infection by Toxocara canis and modulates cytokines mRNA expression in experimentally infected mice. IL-12 gene transcription had 40-fold increase in S. boulardii supplemented uninfected mice and sevenfold increase in supplemented infected mice comparing with not supplemented group. Regarding IFNγ, similar results were observed, since probiotic supplementation induced approximately 43-fold increase, but only in uninfected mice (P < 0·05). T. canis infection upregulated IL-10 expression while S. boulardii downregulated it and no change was observed for IL-4. Thus, based in these findings; we suggest that one possible mechanism responsible for S. boulardii protection effect against T. canis infection is by the modulation of cytokines expression, especially IL-12.

Probiotics for the Control of Helminth Zoonosis

“…toyoi showed in vitro effects against T. canis larvae. Interestingly, a recent study by de Avila et al [ 46 ] has declared a definitive efficacy of supplementation with the probiotic S. boulardii at a dose of 1 × 10 7 (CFU/g), which reduced the intensity of infection in mouse studies. Besides the anthelminthic effect, S. boulardii modulates the mRNA expression levels of especially interleukin- (IL-) 12 and interferon gamma (IFN- γ ) in mice.…”

“…They may involve one or multiple modes of action including production of antimicrobial substances, modulation of the mucosal immune system, alteration of the intestinal microflora, and enhancement of enzymatic activity [ 81 ]. The primary mode of action of probiotics against parasites might be by enhancing the intestinal barrier and modulation of the microflora in the gut [ 8 , 9 , 44 – 46 , 55 ]. They may augment the number of beneficial microorganisms, like lacto-bacilli and bifidobacteria, which then inhibit growth of harmful pathogens by competing for attachment site in the intestinal mucosa.…”

“…Immunostimulation and immunomodulation of either innate or adaptive immune system components [ 7 , 8 , 30 , 46 ] are among the leading proposed elucidations for how probiotics exert their action against helminths. For example, probiotic S. boulardii promoted a reduction in intensity of infection by T. canis by modulating cytokine mRNA expression, especially IL-12, in experimentally infected mice [ 46 ]. Furthermore, L. sporogenes act against cytokine induced apoptosis by decreased chromosomal aberrations and DNA damage in S. mansoni infected mice [ 20 , 21 ].…”

Saccharomyces boulardiireduces the vertical transmission ofToxocara canislarvae in mice

“…Furthermore, the yeast Saccharomyces boulardii has been found to reduce the number of T . canis larvae in tissues during the initial and chronic toxocariasis phases (Avila et al ., 2012, 2016) and to reduce the intensity of infection in mice caused by the consumption of ser infected with T . canis (Cardoso et al ., 2020).…”

“…In consideration of the complexity of the T . canis biological cycle and the possibilities of probiotic biotherapeutics (Avila et al ., 2012, 2016; Cardoso et al ., 2020), this study evaluated the effects of S . boulardii probiotic on the vertical transmission of T .…”