Effect of yoghurt containing Bifidobacterium lactis Bb12.sup.[R] .sup.on faecal excretion of secretory immunoglobulin A and human beta-defensin 2 in healthy adult volunteers

• Published in: Nutrition journal 2011-12, Vol.10, p.138
• Main Authors: Kabeerdoss, Jayakanthan, Shobana Devi, R, Regina Mary, R, Prabhavathi, D, Vidya, R, Mechenro, John, Mahendri, NV, Pugazhendhi, Srinivasan, Ramakrishna, Balakrishnan S
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Bifidobacterium; Health aspects; Immunoglobulin A; Women; Yogurt
• ISSN: 1475-2891; 1475-2891
• DOI: 10.1186/1475-2891-10-138

Probiotics are used to provide health benefits. The present study tested the effect of a probiotic yoghurt on faecal output of beta-defensin and immunoglobulin A in a group of young healthy women eating a defined diet. 26 women aged 18-21 (median 19) years residing in a hostel were given 200 ml normal yoghurt every day for a week, followed by probiotic yoghurt containing Bifidobacterium lactis Bb12.sup.[R] .sup.(10.sup.9 .sup.in 200 ml) for three weeks, followed again by normal yoghurt for four weeks. Stool samples were collected at 0, 4 and 8 weeks and assayed for immunoglobulin A and human beta-defensin-2 by ELISA. All participants tolerated both normal and probiotic yoghurt well. Human beta-defensin-2 levels in faeces were not altered during the course of the study. On the other hand, compared to the basal sample, faecal IgA increased during probiotic feeding (P = 0.0184) and returned to normal after cessation of probiotic yoghurt intake. Bifidobacterium lactis Bb12.sup.[R] .sup.increased secretory IgA output in faeces. This property may explain the ability of probiotics to prevent gastrointestinal and lower respiratory tract infections.