Immune enhancing effects of Lactobacillus acidophilus LAFTI L10 and Lactobacillus paracasei LAFTI L26 in mice

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 10⁸ CFU/50 μl 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-γ 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-γ 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-γ). The results of this study suggest that L. acidophilus and L. paracasei were able to enhance specific gut and systemic immune responses in mice.