Individual probiotic bacteria have biggest immune effects

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News - Candida & Gut Dysbiosis News

Written by Matthew Hogg

Thursday, 20 March 2008

 

 

Probiotics containing a single bacterial strain are more effective at

increasong cytokine production than combination products according to Finnish

researchers.

 

Researchers from Finland's National Public Health Institute, the

University of Helsinki and Finnish dairy giant Valio's Research Centre tested

11

strains of bacteria from 6 genera. These included Lactobacillus and

Bifidobacterium species which are currently the most common in probiotic

products.

 

Each of the " potentially probiotic' strains of bacteria were used to

stimulate a type of immune cell called human peripheral blood mononuclear cells

(PBMC). Changes in the types and amounts of cytokines produced by the cells

were then closely monitored.

 

Cytokines are chemical messengers that the immune system uses to

coordinate the various immune cells to maintain defences against pathogens and

keep

things in balance to avoid allergies and autoimmune reactions.

 

The researchers found that all 11 strains tested induced a cytokine

reaction when used alone but in combination they were found to have little or

no

effect on cytokine production. The most potent bacterial strains were found

to be types of Streptococcus (especially S. thermophilus) and Leuconostoc.

S. thermophilus is often included in combination probiotic products but

rarely by itself.

 

These findings could be very important as at present a large proportion of

probiotics on the market are in the form of combination products which may

contain as many as 10 different bacteria.

 

The researchers said their results provide evidence that different

bacterial straisn compete with each other and can cancel out the effects a

single

strain might have on immune responses.

 

They also said the results demonstrate that probiotic bacteria have the

potential to direct immune responses in a " bacterial genera-specific manner "

and explained that this potentially meant that probiotic products could be

produced for the prevention and treatment of specific conditions, once

further research specific to these conditions has been conducted.

 

The research represents a new area of investigation as the effects of

combination probiotic products on cytokine production in the body is not well

understood. The results do not mean however that combination products are

not useful however as many clinical trials have used combination products for

a range of conditions from digestive disorders to asthma and found them in

many cases to be effective.

 

 

 

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