Effect of the administration of fermented milk containing Lactobacillus casei DN- 114001 on intestinal microbiota and immune cells associated to the gut of nursing mice and after weaning until immune maturity

A. DE MORENO DE LEBLANC; C. DOGI; C. MALDONADO GALDEANO; E. CARMUEGA; R. WEILL; G. PERDIGON

BMC IMMUNOLOGY

BIOMED CENTRAL LTD

Lugar: Londres; Año: 2008 vol. 9 p. 27 - 38

1471-2172

Background: Microbial colonization of the intestine after birth is an important step for the development of the gut immune system. The acquisition of passive immunity through  breast-feeding may influence the pattern of bacterial colonization in the newborn. The aim  of this work was to evaluate the effect of the administration of a probiotic fermented milk  (PFM) containing yogurt starter cultures and the probiotic bacteria strain Lactobacillus casei  N-114001 to mothers during nursing or their offspring, on the intestinal bacterial  population and on parameters of the gut immune system. Results: Fifteen mice of each  group were sacrificed at ages 12, 21, 28 and 45 days. Large intestines were taken for determination of intestinal microbiota, and small intestines for the study of secretory-IgA  (S-IgA) in fluid and the study of IgA+ cells, macrophages, dendritic cells and goblet cells  on tissue samples. The consumption of the PFM either by the mother during nursing or by  the offspring after weaning modified the development of bifidobacteria population in the large intestine of the mice. These modifications were accompanied with a decrease of  enterobacteria population. The administration of this PFM to the mothers improved their  own immune system and this also affected their offspring. Offspring from mice that  received PFM increased S-IgA in intestinal fluids, which mainly originated from their  mother´s immune system. A decrease in the number of macrophages, dendritic cells and  IgA+ cells during the suckling period in offspring fed with PFM was observed; this could be  related with the improvement of the immunity of the mothers, which passively protect  their babies. At day 45, the mice reach maturity of their own immune system and the effects  of the PFM was the stimulation of their mucosal immunity. Conclusion: The present work  shows the beneficial effect of the administration of a PFM not only to the mothers during the suckling period but also to their offspring after weaning and until adulthood. This effect  positively improved the intestinal microbiota that are related with a modulation of the gut  immune response, which was demonstrated with the stimulation of the IgA + cells,  macrophages and dendritic cells.