The Adult Immune Response Study

Probiotic supplement consumption alters cytokine production from peripheral blood mononuclear cells: a preliminary study using healthy individuals

Aim

This study examined the effect of a 12-week Lab4 probiotics and fructooligosaccharide supplementation programme on ex-vivo pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokine production by peripheral blood mononuclear cells extracted from healthy volunteers.

Method

20 healthy volunteers received a supplement comprising 25 billion Lab4 probiotics and 2g of fructooligosaccharide (FOS) daily for 12 weeks.

Blood samples were collected at the start, 6 and 12 weeks.

Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were isolated from the blood samples and cultured ex-vivo in the absence (‘resting’) or presence (challenge) of lipopolysaccharide (bacterial toxin).

Results

In the ‘resting’ immune state:

Significant enhancement of production of the anti-inflammatory cytokines IL-10 and TGF-β over the 12 week period (**P<0.0001)

Fold change in IL-10 level

Fold change in TGF-β level

During challenge with LPS:

Significant decrease in production of the pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-6 and IL-1β(*P<0.01,**P<0.0001)

Fold change in IL-6 level

Fold change in IL-1β level

Conclusion

The consumption of Lab4 probiotics in combination with FOS alters ex vivo cytokine production demonstrating the potential immunomodulatory benefits.

Reference

Hepburn NJ et al. 2013
Probiotic supplement consumption alters cytokine production from peripheral blood mononuclear cells: a preliminary study using healthy individuals.
Beneficial Microbes 4(4): 313-17