Abstract:

In order to study the effect of Lactobacillus helveticus on intestinal immunity in mice, cytokines in intestinal mucosa and tissue of mice were analyzed. Totally 60 mice were randomly divided into four groups: normal diet group, normal saline control group, Lactobacillus helveticus group, and E. coli group. All mice except the normal diet control group were orally administered corresponding probiotics for continuously15 days, and then cytokines in intestine mucosa and tissue of mice were detected using ELISA to analyze immunoregulatory function of Lactobacillus helveticus. Lactobacillus helveticus-administered mice had a significantly higher level of four cytokines when compared to control groups (P < 0.05). The highest level of cytokines was observed at 3 days post-administration for IL-2 and IFN-γ, and at 5 days post-administration for IL-4 and IL-6. Meanwhile, no obvious change in population of Th1 and Th2 type T cells in intestinal mucosa and intestinal tissue of Lactobacillus helveticus-administered mice was observed; in contrast, the balance of Th1 and Th2 type T cells in E. coli-administered mice was disturbed, which revealed that Lactobacillus helveticus had a protective effect on intestinal immune.

Key words: Lactobacillus helveticus, cytokine, intestinal mucosa