Probion, Probiotic Research

Some of the suggested effects of probiotic supplementation that have been seen are listed below:

• Increased nutritional value (better digestibility, increased absorption of minerals and vitamins).
• Promotion of intestinal lactose digestion.
• Positive influence on the intestinal microflora (antibiotics or radiation induced colitis).
• Prevention of intestinal tract infections (bacteria or virus induced, Candida enteritis, Helicobacter pylori ulcus/neoplasia).
• Regulation of gut motility.
• Improvement of the immune system
• Reduction of catabolic products eliminated by kidney and liver.
• Prevention of arteriosclerosis by reduction of serum cholesterol.
• Prevention of osteoporosis.
• Improved wellbeing.

The concepts of Metchnikoff are thus finally being confirmed both experimentally and clinically. The Nobel Prize winner Metchnikoff (1845-1916) claimed in his theory of longevity that the intake of yoghurt decreases the toxic effect of the colonic flora by inhibiting the growth of putrefactive bacteria in the large intestine. He further claimed that the toxic products produced by putrefactive bacteria are the cause of many ageing processes in the body and that the long life of Bulgarian peasants resulted from their consumption of fermented milk products.

Probiotics and immunity

Regarding the influence of probiotics on cell-mediated immunity, research has shown that intake of probiotic bacteria increases the production of IgA antibodies (1) (2) (3) (4). The activity of macrophages and NK-cells also increase (5) (6) (7), which leads to an increased killing of bacteria. It has also been shown that probiotic bacteria modulate the cytokine activity. Cytokines are signal substances in the immune system, which regulate the activity of the immune cells. Cytokines also work as a link between the immune system and the nervous system.

Probiotics and the intestinal barrier

The mucosa of the intestines is a selective barrier which, when functioning normally, prevents the penetration of potentially noxious agents into the bloodstream, while still enabling the passage of useful substances, such as nutrients. The health of the intestinal wall is totally crucial to our health. Probiotic bacteria have a healing effect on the intestinal mucosal membrane by the stimulation of the formation of epithelial cells and by decreasing inflammation in the intestinal mucosa, shown by a decreased production of inflammatory cytokines during the intake of probiotic bacteria (8). It has been shown that atopic eczema is associated with intestinal inflammation and increased antigen transfer over the intestinal barrier(9). Treatment of food-allergies with probiotics has shown good results (8) .

Allergy
The intestine has an important function in working as a barrier against the surrounding world. This barrier is maintained by tight-junctions between the epithelial cells, by production of IgA antibodies and by the normal microbial flora. It is extremely important that only harmless substances are absorbed while the harmful substances are secreted via the faeces.
Studies show that individuals allergic to cow’s milk have defective IgA production (10) and an increased permeability of the intestinal mucosa (11). This results in an increased absorption of macromolecules through the intestinal mucosa(12). The increased permeability is most probably caused by local inflammations due to immunological reactions against the allergen. This damages the intestinal mucosa (8).
Probiotics and allergy Research has shown that probiotics have a healing effect on cow’s milk allergy both regarding the symptoms of eczema and the intestinal inflammation (8).
Probiotics have a healing effect on the intestinal mucosa and decrease the passage of macromolecules over the intestinal wall, thus preventing and adjusting what is referred to as a “leaky gut”. A study done by Kalliomaki & Co shows that the supplementation of probiotics during pregnancy and breast-feeding decreases the frequency of allergy among the children of allergic mothers (13).

References
1. Kaila, M., E. Isolauri, E. Soppi, E. Virtanen, S. Laine, and H. Arvilommi. 1992. Enhancement of the circulating antibody secreting cell response in human diarrhea by a human Lactobacillus strain. Pediatr
Res. 32:141-4.
2. Perdigon, G., S. Alvarez, M. Nader de Marias, M. Roux, and A. Pesce de Ruiz Holgado. 1990. The oral administration of lactic acid bacteria increases the mucosal immunity in response to enterophatogens. J.
Food Protect. 53:404-410.
3. Moreau, M., S. Hudault, and C. Bridonneau. 1990. Systemic antibody response to ovalbumin in
gnotobiotic C3H/HeJ mice with Bifidobacterium bifidum or Escherichia coli. Microecol. Ther. 20:309-12.
4. Yasui, H., N. Nagaoka, A. Mike, K. Hayakawa, and M. Ohwaki. 1992. Detection of Bifidobacterium strains that induce large quantities of IgA. Microbiol. Ecol. Health Dis.
5:155-62
5. Perdigon, G., M. E. de Macias, S. Alvarez, G. Oliver, and A. de Ruiz Holgado. 1986. Effect on per orally administered lactobacilli on macrophage activation in mice. Infect. Immun. 53:404-410.
6. Perdigon, G., M. E. de Macias, S. Alvarez, G. Oliver, and A. de Ruiz Holgado. 1988. Systemic
augmentation of the immune response in mice by feeding fermented milks with Lactobacillus casei and Lactobacillus acidophilus. Immunology. 63:17-23.
7. Arunachalam, K., H. S. Gill, and R. K. Chandra. 2000. Enhancement of natural immune function by dietary consumption of Bifidobacterium lactis (HN019). Eur J Clin Nutr. 54:263-7.
8. Majamaa, H., and E. Isolauri. 1997. Probiotics: a novel approach in the management of food allergy. J. Allergy Clin. Immunol. 99:179-85.
9. Majamaa, H., A. Miettinen, S. Laine, and E. Isolauri. 1996. Intestinal inflammation in children with atopic
eczema: faecal eosinophil cationic protein and tumor necrosis factor-alpha as non-invasive indicators of food allergy. Clin Exp Allergy. 26:181-7.
10. Isolauri E, Virtanen E, Jalonen T, Arvilommi H. 1990. Local immune response measured in blood lymphocytes reflects the clinical reactivity of children with cow’s milk allergy. Pediatr. Res. 28:582-6.
11. Jalonen T, 1991. Identical intestinal permeability changes in children with different clinical manifestations
of cow’s milk allergy. J. Allergy Clin. Immunol. 88:737-42.
12. Heyman M, Gasset E, Ducroc R, Desjeux JF. 1988. Antigen absorption by the jejuna epithelium of children with cow’s milk allergy. J. Allergy Clin. Immunol. 24:197-202.
13. Kalliomaki M, Salminen S, Arvilommi H, Kero P, Koskinen P,Isolauri E. 2001.
Probiotics in primary prevention of atopic disease: a randomized placebo-controlled trial. Lancet Apr 7;357(9262:1076-9.