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Immunomodulating capacity of kefir
Celso G Vinderola1, Jairo Duarte, Deepa Thangavel
1Université de Moncton, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Moncton (NB), Canada.
The Journal of Dairy Research
|May 25, 2005
Summary
This study shows that kefir, a fermented milk drink, modulates the gut immune system in mice. Live kefir bacteria are more effective at lower doses than pasteurized kefir, highlighting the importance of cell viability for immune response.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Microbiology
- Gastroenterology
Background:
- Kefir is a fermented milk with a long history of perceived health benefits.
- Published research substantiating kefir's health claims, particularly its immunomodulatory effects, is limited.
- Understanding the impact of kefir on the intestinal immune system is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the immunomodulating capacity of kefir on the intestinal mucosal immune response in mice.
- To determine the influence of kefir dosage and bacterial cell viability on immune modulation.
- To elucidate the mechanisms behind kefir's effects on immune responses in vivo.
Main Methods:
- BALB/c mice were fed varying dilutions of commercial (live bacteria) or pasteurized (heat-inactivated bacteria) kefir for 2, 5, or 7 days.
- Assessed bacterial translocation, small intestine histology (hematoxylin-eosin staining), IgA+ and IgG+ cell counts, and cytokine profiles (IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, IL-12, TNF-alpha, IFN-gamma).
Main Results:
- Both kefir and pasteurized kefir demonstrated dose-dependent immunomodulation of the mucosal immune system.
- Live kefir induced similar immunomodulation at a 10-fold higher dilution compared to pasteurized kefir, indicating the significance of cell viability.
- Kefir feeding appeared to promote a Th2 cytokine response that controlled Th1 responses, while pasteurized kefir induced both Th1 and Th2 responses.
Conclusions:
- Kefir possesses immunomodulatory capacity on the intestinal mucosa in a dose-dependent manner.
- The viability of bacteria in kefir is critical for its immunomodulatory effects.
- This study provides novel in vivo insights into the mechanisms of kefir's immune modulation via oral administration of viable or inactivated bacteria.