Abstract
The rapid expansion of commercially available fermented food products raises important safety issues particularly when infant food is concerned. In many cases, the activity of the microorganisms used for fermentation as well as what will be the immunological outcome of fermented food intake is not known. In this manuscript we used complex in vitro, ex-vivo and in vivo systems to study the immunomodulatory properties of probiotic-fermented products (culture supernatant and fermented milk without live bacteria to be used in infant formula).We found in vitro and ex-vivo that fermented products of Lactobacillus paracasei CBA L74 act via the inhibition of proinflammatory cytokine release leaving anti-inflammatory cytokines either unaffected or even increased in response to Salmonella typhimurium. These activities are not dependent on the inactivated bacteria but to metabolic products released during the fermentation process. We also show that our in vitro systems are predictive of an in vivo efficacy by the fermented products. Indeed CBA L74 fermented products (both culture medium and fermented milk) could protect against colitis and against an enteric pathogen infection (Salmonella typhimurium). Hence we found that fermented products can act via the inhibition of immune cell inflammation and can protect the host from pathobionts and enteric pathogens. These results open new perspectives in infant nutrition and suggest that L. paracasei CBA L74 fermented formula can provide immune benefits to formula-fed infants, without carrying live bacteria that may be potentially dangerous to an immature infant immune system.
Highlights
In the initial years of human life the microbiota is established and several environmental factors contribute to its generation, including nutrition [1,2]
Infant formulae are the only alternatives to breast milk for infants who are unable to continue breastfeeding through the first year of life [12]
In order to mimic some benefits observed in breast-fed infants, functional ingredients such as fermented milk have been added to infant formulae in recent years
Summary
In the initial years of human life the microbiota is established and several environmental factors contribute to its generation, including nutrition [1,2]. The microbiota plays a major role in the development of the immune system [3,4]. The interplay between nutrition, microbiota and immune cells is decisive for the subsequent health of the infant [5]. Exclusive breast-feeding is recommended from birth to 6 months of age [6,7]. Breast milk is involved in the development of a bifidobacteria-enriched microbiota [8], in protection against potentially infectious agents [9] and the correct development of secondary lymphoid organs and the immune system [10]. Infant formulae are intended to serve as a substitute for breast milk in infants who cannot be fed at breast, should not receive breast milk, or for whom breast milk is not available [11]
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