Immunomodulatory effects of Lactobacillus casei Shirota

Abstract

Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) are present in the intestine and the beneficial role played by these microorganisms in humans has been extensively reported. They are frequently used as probiotics to improve some biological functions in the host and various studies have found that probiotic bacteria provide a beneficial effect on gut mucosal function, suggesting their potential effect in the treatment of inflammatory bowel diseases. LAB have been shown to activate both systemic and secretory immune responses via many complex interactions among the different components of the intestinal ecosystem, such as microflora, epithelial cells and other immune cells (Perdigon et al., 2001). There are numerous strains of lactic acid bacteria, but this review will focus particularly on the effects of Lactobacillus casei and more specifically Lactobacillus casei Shirota, the probiotic used in the commercially available Yakult probiotic drink.