Probiotics for Everyone! The Novel Immunobiotic Lactobacillus rhamnosus CRL1505 and the Beginning of Social Probiotic Programs in Argentina

Abstract

Lactobacillus rhamnosus CRL1505 (Lr1505) stimulates immune responses in the gut and in the respiratory tract and improves resistance against Salmonella typhimurium and Streptococcus pneumoniae infections in immunocompetent and immunocompromised mice. Considering that respiratory infectious diseases continue to be a major cause of death among preschool children in developing countries, the aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of Lr1505 on the health of children. A randomized-controlled double-blind clinical trial in 298 healthy children (2-5 years old), attending daycare centers was performed. Yogurt containing Lr1505 was administered to children for 6 months (five times a week). Results were statistically compared with those of children from the same community that received a placebo yogurt (without probiotic). Administration of Lr1505 to young children reduced the incidence of infections: 66% of children in the placebo group presented symptoms of infection while only 34% of cases were detected in the Lr1505 group. Significant differences (P<0.05) were detected in the incidence of intestinal infections, upper respiratory tract infections and angina when placebo and Lr1505 groups were compared. Children fed Lr1505 experienced fewer fevers and needed fewer antibiotics than those receiving the placebo. The protective effect of Lr1505 was associated with increased levels of mucosal IgA antibodies. Lr1505 is a promising resource for the development of prevention strategies against mucosal infections that could be effective tools for medical application. This new probiotic strain has been included into official Nutritional Programs in Argentina and it is given to more than 200 thousand children. This project has encouraged local milk production, thanks to the constant demand of probiotic yogurt containing L. rhamnosus CRL1505 by provincial governments, while incorporating innovation to small and medium enterprises.

Intestinal Innate Antiviral Immunity and Immunobiotics: Beneficial Effects against Rotavirus Infection

“…In a randomized controlled trial conducted by Villena et al (44), L. rhamnosus CRL1505 (administered in a yogurt formulation) improved mucosal immunity and reduced the incidence and severity of intestinal and respiratory infection in children. Hence, the incidence of infectious events was reduced from 66% in the placebo group to 34% in the group that received the probiotic yogurt.…”

“…Hence, the incidence of infectious events was reduced from 66% in the placebo group to 34% in the group that received the probiotic yogurt. Furthermore, there was also a significant reduction in the occurrence of indicators of disease severity such as fever and the need for antibiotic treatment in children receiving the probiotic yogurt (44). Therefore, the results of this trial suggested that consumption of yogurt containing L. rhamnosus CRL1505 was helpful to reduce the burden of common childhood morbidities, especially those associated to viral infections including RVs (44).…”

“…We also used these porcine in vitro systems to attain deeper knowledge into the mechanisms involved in the immunomodulatory effect of L. rhamnosus CRL1505 and concentrated our attention in the crosstalk between the immunobiotic strain and porcine IECs and APCs, in order to explain its capacity to reduce viral diarrhea episodes in children (44). Moreover, we performed comparative studies with another immunobiotic strain, Lactobacillus plantarum CRL1506, that is able stimulate intestinal immunity in animal models (65).…”

Modulation of Respiratory TLR3-Anti-Viral Response by Probiotic Microorganisms: Lessons Learned from Lactobacillus rhamnosus CRL1505

“…We confirmed that this assumption was true after demonstrating increased numbers of CD3 + CD4 + IFN-γ + T in the lungs mice orally treated with L. rhamnosus CRL1505 (62). Furthermore, the mobilization of CD3 + CD4 + IFN-γ + T cells from the intestine to the airways and the higher production of IFN-γ could be involved in the improved anti-viral state induced by L. rhamnosus CRL1505 that was observed in clinical studies (5). Probably, IFN-γ secreted in response to L. rhamnosus CRL1505 stimulation would be capable of functionally modulate the innate immune microenvironment in the lung, inducing the activation of DCs (64) and macrophages (81).…”

“…More specifically, the article review the mechanisms involved in the capacity of the immunobiotic strain Lactobacillus rhamnosus CRL1505 to beneficially modulate the immune response triggered by Toll-like receptor (TLR)-3 activation in the respiratory tract and to increase the resistance to RSV infection. In addition, we will discuss the role of interferon (IFN)-γ and interleukin (IL)-10 in the immunoregulatory effect of the CRL1505 strain that has been successfully used for reducing incidence and morbidity of viral airways infections in children (5). …”