Effect of Lactobacillus reuteri on intestinal microbiota and immune parameters: Involvement of sex differences

Publication date: February 2019Source: Journal of Functional Foods, Volume 53Author(s): Jiayi He, Wenwen Wang, Zhen Wu, Daodong Pan, Yuxing Guo, Zhendong Cai, Liwei LianAbstractProbiotic candidate Lactobacillus reuteri DMSZ 8533 was screened out in vitro based on a relatively higher gastrointestinal tolerance and moderate adhesiveness. The organ index (spleen, thymus and liver), Interleukin-12 (IL-12), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), T-lymphocytes (CD3-, CD4- and CD-8 positive cells) and fecal microbiota composition were also investigated in BALB/c mice. Results showed a significant higher level of IL-12 at low-dose L. reuteri treated group in both females and males. The relative abundance of phylotypes in the phylum Bacteroidetes and Firmicutes exhibited a reserve shift between sexes after L. reuteri intervention. Meanwhile, the relative abundance of several taxa also differed markedly between sexes at low-dose group, together with microbiota diversity. Our finding demonstrates the importance of L. reuteri DMSZ 8533 as a potential probiotic strain with an immunomodulatory effect, which could also alter the microbiota composition depending on the sex of the host.Graphical abstractThe aim of this research is to investigate the possible probiotic role of Lactobacillus reuteri DMSZ 8533 in immunomodulation and effect on fecal microbiota composition using a BALB/c model. Our results demonstrated that L. reuteri exerted a positive effect on the immune response in females groups...
Source: Journal of Functional Foods - Category: Nutrition Source Type: research