Age-related decline in macrophage and lymphocyte functions in mice and its alleviation by treatment with probiotic Dahi containingLactobacillus acidophilusandBifidobacterium bifidum

Abstract

This study evaluated the effects of probiotic Dahi administration in ageing mice on macrophage and lymphocyte functions. Probiotic Dahi were prepared by co-culturing in buffalo milk (3% fat) Dahi bacteria (Lactococcus lactis ssp. cremoris NCDC-86 and Lc. lactis ssp. lactis biovar diacetylactis NCDC-60) along with Lactobacillus acidophilus LaVK2 (La-Dahi) or combined Lb. acidophilus and Bifidobacterium bifidum BbVK3 (LaBb-Dahi). Four groups of 12 mo old mice were fed for four months, with the supplements (5 g/day) of buffalo milk (3% fat), Dahi, La-Dahi and LaBb-Dahi, respectively, in addition to basal diet, and a fifth group that received no supplements served as control. The immune functions of young mice (4 mo old) were also compared with those of ageing adult mice (16 mo old). The production of nitric oxide and cytokines IL-6 and TNF-α declined and that of immunosuppressive prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) increased by stimulated peritoneal and splenic macrophages in ageing mice, compared with their young counterparts. The proliferation of stimulated splenocytes diminished and the production of IL-2 decreased and that of IL-6 and TNF-α enhanced in ageing compared with young mice. Feeding ageing mice with La-Dahi or LaBb-Dahi improved peritoneal macrophage functions stimulating nitric oxide and IL-6 and diminishing PGE2 production. Feeding La-Dahi or LaBb-Dahi also improved lymphocyte functions stimulating their proliferation and production of IL-2 in ageing mice. To conclude, the probiotic La-Dahi and LaBb-Dahi are effective in reversing age related decline in immune functions in mice.

Probiotic Dahi containing Lactobacillus acidophilus and Bifidobacterium bifidum modulates immunoglobulin levels and cytokines expression in whey proteins sensitised mice

“…Studies from our laboratory have shown that this probiotic Dahi attenuates dimethylhydrazine‐induced gastrointestinal carcinogenesis; diminishes diet induced hypercholesteraemia and atherogenic index in rats; stimulates the macrophage activity and confers protection against enteric infection in mice . This probiotic Dahi also reverses the age‐related decline in tissue antioxidant activities and improves expression of biomarkers of ageing, peroxisome proliferators activated receptors‐α (PPAR‐α), senescence marker protein‐30 (SMP‐30) and klotho (maintains calcium and phosphorus homeostasis) in hepatic and kidney tissues and alleviates macrophages and lymphocyte functioning in aged mice . In addition, the same product has been reported to have an anti‐colitis effect and it modulates the formation of aberrant crypt foci, mucin‐depleted foci and cell proliferation on 1,2‐dimethylhydrazine‐induced colorectal carcinogenesis in Wistar rats …”

Dietary Supplementation with Fermented Milk Containing Probiotics Improves Behaviour and Immune Response of Aged Mice

“…Thus, for example, they increased the response of specific antibodies against infection [17,18]. Nevertheless, there are also several articles showing the positive effects of probiotics on old experimental animals [19,37,38].…”

Probiotics and gut microbiota: mechanistic insights into gut immune homeostasis through TLR pathway regulation

“…101 Similarly, probiotic dahi intake for four months improved the phagocytosis and cytokine release in murine macrophages and improved the lymphocyte in vitro proliferative capacity. 102 Furthermore, Meyer et al (2007) assessed the effects of fermented dairy beverage ingestion over four weeks, and demonstrated upregulated pro-inflammatory cytokines, i.e. IL-1β and TNF-α and IFN-γ, in the peripheral blood of healthy young women.…”