Immune effects of the probiotic Bifidobacteriumbreve

摘要

Bifidobacterium breve, a probiotic, has beneficial effects on bothallergy and autoimmunity - an immune reaction against the body's ownconstituents -in experimental animals. Probiotics are called 'friendlybacteria' in advertisements, in which manufacturers claim theirbeneficial effects on gut flora, resistance and allergies. However, mostof the claimed effects have not been scientifically proven in humantrials. Effects of probiotics are known to be dependent on the strain ofprobiotics used. Previously performed research has demonstrated thatLactobacillus casei Shirota moderately stimulates both allergy andautoimmunity in experimental animals, implying that intake of probiotics,depending on the strain used, can be a hazard. This report describes theeffects of the probiotic Bifidobacterium breve on allergy andautoimmunity. Animal models for allergy and autoimmunity were used forthis investigation. Administration of Bifidobacterium breve alleviatedboth allergic and autoimmune responses. Bifidobacterium breve has apositive effect on the immune system, in contrast to Lactobacillus caseiShirota. Effects of probiotics on the immune system are clearlystrain-dependent. Trials in humans are necessary to be able toextrapolate these data to application in the human body. These studiesshould therefore focus on both efficacy and safety of probiotics inhumans.