Research on Prebiotics and Immune Function
Role of intestinal flora in health and disease.
Guamer F; Nutr Hosp. 2007; 22 Suppl 2: P-14
- The terms intestinal "microflora" or "microbiota refer to the microbial ecosystem colonizing the gastrointestinal tract.
- The main functions of intestinal microflora include (1) metabolic activities translating into energy and nutrients uptake, and (2) host protection against invasion by foreign microorganisms.
- Intestinal bacteria play an essential role in the development and homeostasis of the immune system.
- Lymphoid follicles within the intestinal mucosa are the main areas for immune system induction and regulation.
Inulin and oligofructose: review of experimental data on immune modulation.
Seifert S, Watzl B. Institute of Nutritional Physiology, Federal Research Centre for Nutrition and Food, 76131 Karlsruhe, Germany.
- First results from human intervention studies suggest that the intake of inulin (IN) and oligofructose (OF) has beneficial effects on the gut-associated lymphoid tissue.
- Data from studies with infants suggest that supplementation with a prebiotic mixture positively affects postnatal immune development and increases fecal secretory IgA.
- The intestinal immune system and especially the immune cells associated with the Peyer's patches are responsive to a dietary supplement of IN/OF and/or their metabolites.
- The mechanisms of IN/OF include indirect effects such as a shift in the composition of the intestinal flora and the enhanced production of immunoregulatory SCFA and perhaps other bacterial metabolites.
- In conclusion, prebiotic IN/OF clearly modulate immunological processes.
Influence of prebiotics on the human immune system (GALT).
Bodera P. Natur Produkt Zdrovit Ltd., Warszawa, Poland.
- The knowledge about the influence of prebiotics on the gut-associated lymphoid tissues (GALT) for the improvement of human health is still growing.
- This paper reviews the latest evidence for the immunity-enhancing effects of prebiotics.
- There is convincing preliminary data to suggest that the consumption of prebiotics can modulate immune parameters in GALT, secondary lymphoid tissues and peripheral circulation.
- There is increasing evidence that the newly described prebiotics and innovative means of administration can modulate various properties of the immune system, including those of the gut-associated lymphoid tissues (GALT).
Inulin and Oligofructose: Review of Experimental Data on Immune Modulation.
Stephanie Seifert and Bernhard Watzl; J Nutr. 2007; 137: 2563S
- First results from human intervention studies suggest that the intake of inulin (IN) and oligofructose (OF) has beneficial effects on the gut-associated lymphoid tissue.
- Animal studies confirm the observations from human trials and give more insight into the immune tissue- specific effects of IN/OF.
- A clear outcome of the animal studies is that the intestinal immune system and especially the immune cells associated with the Peyer's patches are responsive to a dietary supplement of IN/OF and/or their metabolites.
- The mechanisms of IN/OF include indirect effects such as a shift in the composition of the intestinal flora and the enhanced production of immunoregulatory SCFA and perhaps other bacterial metabolites.
- In conclusion, prebiotic IN/OF clearly modulate immunological processes at the level of the gut-associated lymphoid tissue, which may be associated with significant health benefits in infants and patients with intestinal inflammatory diseases.
Prebiotics, immune function, infection and inflammation: a review of the evidence.
Lomax AR, Calder PC. Institute of Human Nutrition, School of Medicine, University of Southampton, Tremona Road, Southampton, UK. arl203@soton.ac.uk
- In man, two studies in children and nine studies in adults indicate that the adaptive immune system may be modified by beta2-1 fructans.
- Thirteen studies in animal models of intestinal infections conclude a beneficial effect of beta2-1 fructans.
- Human studies report some benefits regarding inflammatory bowel disease (four positive studies) and atopic dermatitis (one positive study),
- Overall the results indicate that beta2-1 fructans are able to modulate some aspects of immune function, to improve the host's ability to respond successfully to certain intestinal infections, and to modify some inflammatory conditions.