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Lactobacillus pentosus strain b240 suppresses pneumonia induced by Streptococcus pneumoniae in mice
1Second Department of Internal Medicine, Nagasaki University Hospital, Nagasaki, Japan Otsu Nutraceuticals Research Institute, Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Shiga, Japan.
Aims:
Oral administration of probiotics has been known to improve inflammatory responses against infectious diseases. Here, we describe the inhibitory effect of oral intake of heat-killed Lactobacillus pentosus strain b240 (b240) on pneumococcal pneumonia in a murine experimental model.
Method And Results:
The mice treated with oral b240 for 21 days before Streptococcus pneumoniae infection exhibited prolonged survival time and less body weight loss, compared with saline-treated control mice. Mild pneumonia with significantly reduced secretion of inflammatory cytokines/chemokines according to related mitogen-activated protein kinase signalling molecules (phosphorylated c-Jun N-terminal kinase) was found in b240-treated mice, whereas severe pneumonia with hypercytokinemia was evident in control mice. Prominent reduction in the number of pneumococci and elevated expression of Toll-like receptor 2 and 4 in the lung tissues was concomitantly noted in b240-treated mice.
Conclusions:
These findings indicate that b240 has inhibitory effects on pneumococcal pneumonia induced by Strep. pneumoniae infection and improves inflammatory tissue responses, resulting in reduced damages to the respiratory tissues.
Significance And Impact Of The Study:
These results demonstrate that oral administration of b240 might protect host animals from Strep. pneumoniae infection by augmentation of innate immune response.
Insights
Oral administration of heat-killed Lactobacillus pentosus strain b240 (b240) prolonged survival and reduced inflammation in mice with pneumococcal pneumonia. This probiotic may augment innate immunity against Streptococcus pneumoniae infection.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Immunology
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Oral probiotics can modulate inflammatory responses to infectious diseases.
- Heat-killed Lactobacillus pentosus strain b240 (b240) is investigated for its potential health benefits.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the inhibitory effect of oral b240 on pneumococcal pneumonia in a murine model.
- To assess the impact of b240 on survival, inflammation, and bacterial load.
Main Methods:
- Mice were orally administered b240 for 21 days prior to Streptococcus pneumoniae infection.
- Survival time, body weight loss, cytokine/chemokine levels, bacterial counts, and lung tissue inflammatory markers were analyzed.
Main Results:
- b240 treatment led to prolonged survival and reduced weight loss compared to controls.
- Mice treated with b240 showed milder pneumonia with reduced inflammatory cytokines and less bacterial load.
- Elevated expression of Toll-like receptors 2 and 4 was observed in the lungs of b240-treated mice.
Conclusions:
- Oral b240 exhibits inhibitory effects against pneumococcal pneumonia and improves inflammatory responses.
- b240 may protect against Streptococcus pneumoniae infection by augmenting the host's innate immune response.
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