Immunomodulatory effect of oral administration of milk fermented with Lactobacillus helveticus in mice

Abstract

his study investigated the immunomodulatory potential of oral administration of Lactobacillus helveticus-fermented milk and cell free supernatant after fermentation in mice. Mice were fed for a period of 2, 5 or 8 consecutive days with L. helveticus fermented milk, cell free supernatant. The control group was fed only milk. The immune response was assessed by analyzing lysosomal enzymes viz. β-galactosidase and β-glucuronidase, phagocytic activity of peritoneal macrophages and lymphocyte proliferation index at the end of feeding periods. The mice fed with L. helveticus fermented milk and cell free supernatant showed significant increased lysosomal enzymes levels and phagocytic activity in peritoneal macrophages in comparison to control group. Similarly, lymphocyte proliferation index was also higher in fermented milk and cell free supernatant group. The results suggested that lactic acid bacteria as well as immunoactive component released in milk had positive impact on non specific (phagocytic activity) and specific immune response (lymphocyte proliferation).