Abstract
The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of consuming dairy yogurt containing Lactobacillus paracasei ssp. paracasei (L. paracasei), Bifidobacterium animalis ssp. lactis (B. lactis) and heat-treated Lactobacillus plantarum (L. plantarum) on immune function. A randomized, open-label, placebo-controlled study was conducted on 200 nondiabetic subjects. Over a twelve-week period, the test group consumed dairy yogurt containing probiotics each day, whereas the placebo group consumed milk. Natural killer (NK) cell activity, interleukin (IL)-12 and immunoglobulin (Ig) G1 levels were significantly increased in the test group at twelve weeks compared to baseline. Additionally, the test group had significantly greater increases in serum NK cell activity and interferon (IFN)-γ and IgG1 than placebo group. Daily consumption of dairy yogurt containing L. paracasei, B. lactis and heat-treated L. plantarum could be an effective option to improve immune function by enhancing NK cell function and IFN-γ concentration (ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT03051425).
Highlights
The population of individuals above the age of 60 is steadily increasing in Korea
There were no significant differences between the two groups in age, gender distribution, smoking and drinking, body mass index (BMI), systolic and diastolic blood pressure (BP), serum glucose, lipid profiles, albumin, leukocyte counts, or high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) (Table 1)
Kawashima et al [8] showed that the L. plantarum strain YU enhances natural killer (NK) cell activity in spleen cells, and Dallal et al [7] recently reported that oral administration of L. casei significantly increased NK cytotoxicity in spleen cell cultures from mice bearing invasive ductal carcinoma
Summary
Individuals suffer from more frequent and more severe infections than younger individuals for reasons including epidemiological factors, immunosenescence and malnutrition as well as various age-associated physiological alterations [1]. Human immune function undergoes adverse changes with aging, including immune senescence, which potentially increases the risk of certain infections and cancers [2,3]. Consumption of yogurt could improve immune function based on its composition of probiotics, zinc, vitamin B6, and protein, which are associated with immune enhancement [4,5]. Among these components, probiotics are regarded as the most important in terms of stimulating the immune system [6]. Rizzardini et al [10] showed
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
