Oral administration of kefiran induces changes in the balance of immune cells in a murine model

MEDRANO MICAELA; RACEDO, SILVIA MARÍA; ROLNY, IVANA SABRINA; ABRAHAM, ANALÍA GRACIELA; PÉREZ, PABLO FERNANDO

JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL AND FOOD CHEMISTRY

AMER CHEMICAL SOC

Lugar: Washington; Año: 2011 vol. 59 p. 5299 - 5304

0021-8561

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of kefiran oral administration on immune cells balance of MALT in a murine model. Six week-old BALB/c mice were administered with kefiran (300 mg/L) for 0, 2 and 7 days. Kefiran treatment increased the number of IgA+ cells in lamina propria after 2 and 7 days. Percentage of B220+/MHCIIhigh cells in mesenteric lymph nodes (2 days) and Peyer´s patches (7 days) was higher compared to untreated control mice. An increment on macrophages population (F4/80+ cells) was observed in lamina propria and peritoneal cavity (2 and 7 days), while a decrease in Peyer´s patches was observed after 7 days of treatment. These results show the ability of kefiran to modify the immune cell balance in intestinal mucosa. This property could be highly relevant for the comprehension of the probiotic effect attributed to kefir. Key words: kefiran, MALT, IgA+ cells, macrophages, intestinal mucosa immunity.