02.14.14
A collaborative study by DuPont Nutrition & Health and the University of Reading (UK) examined the effect of Bifidobacterium lactis Bi-07 on immune function in healthy elderly subjects, and found that consumption of the probiotic strain improved the function of specialized innate immune cells, or phagocytes. Results of the study were published in the Journal of Nutritional Science.
“Immunity continues to be one of the main fields of research for DuPont Nutrition & Health. Alterations in the gut microbiota and immune functions of elderly adults are associated with higher susceptibility to infections and metabolic disorders,” said Dr. Markus Lehtinen, senior scientist, DuPont Nutrition & Health. “Phagocytosis, by which immune cells ‘eat’ bacteria or infected cells, is one of the mechanisms that help to resist infections. Results of this study show that the probiotic Bi-07 may provide health benefits to elderly individuals by increasing the activity of phagocytic cells.”
Forty healthy elderly volunteers were selected in the double-blinded, placebo-controlled, randomized cross-over study. Volunteers received maltodextrin as a placebo (8 g/d), prebiotic galacto-oligosaccharides (GOS) (8 g/d), probiotic (Bi-07; 109 colony-forming units/d) and synbiotic GOS + Bi-07 (8 g GOS/d and 109 colony-forming units Bi-07/d). Volunteers were randomized to four groups that consumed the study products in random order in four periods. Supplements were provided for 21 days, with a 28-day wash-out period. Blood, saliva and fecal samples were taken from the study subjects to analyze markers of immune function and microbiota composition.
It was found that subjects in the Bi-07 group had higher phagocytic activity of monocytes (p<0.001) and granulocytes (p=0.02) than subjects in the placebo group. Changes in other markers of immune function or microbiota composition were not detected in any supplementation groups.
Researchers concluded that Bi-07 consumption improved innate phagocytic activity of monocytes and granulocytes in healthy elderly. This could be beneficial to elderly who suffer from decreased phagocytic activity and higher susceptibility to infections.
For more information: www.dupont.com/industries/food-and-beverage.html
“Immunity continues to be one of the main fields of research for DuPont Nutrition & Health. Alterations in the gut microbiota and immune functions of elderly adults are associated with higher susceptibility to infections and metabolic disorders,” said Dr. Markus Lehtinen, senior scientist, DuPont Nutrition & Health. “Phagocytosis, by which immune cells ‘eat’ bacteria or infected cells, is one of the mechanisms that help to resist infections. Results of this study show that the probiotic Bi-07 may provide health benefits to elderly individuals by increasing the activity of phagocytic cells.”
Forty healthy elderly volunteers were selected in the double-blinded, placebo-controlled, randomized cross-over study. Volunteers received maltodextrin as a placebo (8 g/d), prebiotic galacto-oligosaccharides (GOS) (8 g/d), probiotic (Bi-07; 109 colony-forming units/d) and synbiotic GOS + Bi-07 (8 g GOS/d and 109 colony-forming units Bi-07/d). Volunteers were randomized to four groups that consumed the study products in random order in four periods. Supplements were provided for 21 days, with a 28-day wash-out period. Blood, saliva and fecal samples were taken from the study subjects to analyze markers of immune function and microbiota composition.
It was found that subjects in the Bi-07 group had higher phagocytic activity of monocytes (p<0.001) and granulocytes (p=0.02) than subjects in the placebo group. Changes in other markers of immune function or microbiota composition were not detected in any supplementation groups.
Researchers concluded that Bi-07 consumption improved innate phagocytic activity of monocytes and granulocytes in healthy elderly. This could be beneficial to elderly who suffer from decreased phagocytic activity and higher susceptibility to infections.
For more information: www.dupont.com/industries/food-and-beverage.html
