scholarly journals Dietary supplementation with an extract of lycopene-rich tomatoes does not reduce atherosclerosis in Watanabe Heritable Hyperlipidemic rabbits

2007 ◽  
Vol 97 (1) ◽  
pp. 6-10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hanne Frederiksen ◽  
Salka E. Rasmussen ◽  
Malene Schrøder ◽  
Anette Bysted ◽  
Jette Jakobsen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Plasma Levels ◽  
Intervention Studies ◽  
Plasma Lipids ◽  
Control Diet ◽  
Dietary Supplementation ◽  
Plant Oils ◽  
Aortic Atherosclerosis ◽  
Total Plasma ◽  
Beneficial Effects ◽  
Tomato Extract

Tomatoes are rich in lycopene and other carotenoids which have shown beneficial effects on CVD in epidemiological and intervention studies. In the present study the effect of an extract of lycopene-rich tomatoes, Lyc-O-Mato® on atherosclerosis was studied in Watanabe Heritable Hyperlipidemic rabbits. The rabbits were fed a control diet, a control diet supplemented with the tomato extract or a control diet supplemented with a mixture of plant oils for 16 weeks. Lycopene was detected only in plasma of rabbits receiving tomato extract. The tomato extract had no effect on cholesterol and triacylglycerol levels measured in total plasma, lipoprotein fractions and on aortic atherosclerosis evaluated biochemically and by microscopy. Oxidation of lipids in unfractionated plasma also was unaffected by the intake of tomato extract. In conclusion, the tomato extract increased plasma levels of lycopene in rabbits, but had no effect on hypercholesterolaemia, oxidation of plasma lipids or aortic atherosclerosis.

scholarly journals Spermidine and Voluntary Activity Exert Differential Effects on Sucrose- Compared with Fat-Induced Systemic Changes in Male Mice

2019 ◽  
Vol 149 (3) ◽  
pp. 451-462 ◽  
Author(s):  
Julia Schipke ◽  
Marius Vital ◽  
Anke Schnapper-Isl ◽  
Dietmar H Pieper ◽  
Christian Mühlfeld
Keyword(s):  
Plasma Lipids ◽  
Control Diet ◽  
Taxonomic Composition ◽  
Voluntary Activity ◽  
Beneficial Effects ◽  
Reduced Body ◽  
Body Weights ◽  
Sucrose Diet ◽  
Unlimited Access ◽  
Running Wheels

ABSTRACT Background Excess dietary fat and sugar are linked to obesity and metabolic syndrome. Polyamines such as spermidine are implicated in fat accumulation and may support activity-induced weight loss. Objective This study tested interventional spermidine supplementation and voluntary activity against fat- and sucrose-induced systemic and gut microbiota changes. Methods A 3-factorial study design (3 × 2 × 2) was used to test the factors diet, activity, and spermidine. Male 6-wk-old C57BL/6N mice were fed a control diet (CD; carbohydrate:protein:fat, 70%:20%:10% of energy; 7% sucrose), a high-fat diet (HFD; carbohydrate:protein:fat, 20%:20%:60% of energy; 7% sucrose), or a high-sucrose diet (HSD; carbohydrate:protein:fat, 70%:20%:10% of energy; 35% sucrose). Diet groups were left untreated (+0) or had unlimited access to running wheels (+A) or were supplemented with 3 mM spermidine via drinking water (+S) or a combination of both (+A+S) for 30 wk (n = 7–10). Results In comparison to the CD, the HFD enhanced body weights (by 36%, P < 0.001), plasma lipids (cholesterol by 24%, P < 0.001; triglycerides by 27%, P = 0.004), and glucose concentrations (by 18%, P < 0.001), whereas the HSD increased weight by 13% (P < 0.001) and fasting glucose by 17% (P < 0.001) but did not increase plasma lipids. Microbiota taxonomic composition changed upon the HFD and HSD (both P < 0.001); however, only the HSD increased microbial diversity (P < 0.001) compared with the CD. Activity influenced microbiota composition (P < 0.01) and reduced glucose concentrations in HSD-fed (P = 0.021) and HFD-fed (P < 0.001) mice compared with nonactive mice. The combination of activity and spermidine affected energy intake (P-interaction = 0.037) and reduced body weights of HSD+A+S mice compared with HSD+0 mice (P = 0.024). Conclusions In male C57BL/6N mice, dietary sucrose and fat caused diverse metabolic and microbiota changes that were differentially susceptible to physical exercise. Spermidine has the potential to augment activity-induced beneficial effects, particularly for sucrose-induced obesity.

scholarly journals The dietary antioxidant quercetin reduces hallmarks of bleomycin-induced lung fibrogenesis in mice

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Agnes Wilhelmina Boots ◽  
Carmen Veith ◽  
Catrin Albrecht ◽  
Roger Bartholome ◽  
Marie Jose Drittij ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gene Expression ◽  
Plasma Levels ◽  
Control Diet ◽  
Redox Balance ◽  
Current Therapy ◽  
Inflammatory Lesions ◽  
Beneficial Effects ◽  
Dietary Antioxidant ◽  
Pulmonary Damage ◽  
Deficient Mice

Abstract Background Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a chronic, lethal disease of unknown etiology. Current treatment comprises two FDA-approved drugs that can slow down yet not stop or reverse the disease. As IPF pathology is associated with an altered redox balance, adding a redox modulating component to current therapy might exert beneficial effects. Quercetin is a dietary antioxidant with strong redox modulating capacities suggested to exert part of its antioxidative effects via activation of the redox-sensitive transcription factor Nrf2. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to investigate if quercetin can exert anti-fibrotic effects in a mouse model of bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrogenesis through Nrf2-dependent restoration of redox imbalance. Methods Homozygous Nrf2 deficient mice and their wildtype littermates were fed a control diet without or with 800 mg/kg quercetin from 7 days prior to a single 1 µg/2µl per g BW bleomycin challenge until they were sacrificed 14 days afterwards. Lung tissue and plasma were collected to determine markers of fibrosis (expression of extracellular matrix genes and histopathology), inflammation (pulmonary gene expression and plasma levels of Tumor Necrosis Factor-α (TNFα) and Keratinocyte Chemoattrachtant (KC)), and redox balance (pulmonary gene expression of antioxidants and malondialdehyde-dG (MDA)- DNA adducts). Results Mice fed the enriched diet had significantly enhanced plasma and pulmonary quercetin levels (11.08 ± 0.73 µM versus 7.05 ± 0.2 µM) combined with increased pulmonary expression of Nrf2 and Nrf2-responsive genes compared to mice fed the control diet. Upon bleomycin treatment, quercetin-fed mice displayed reduced expression of collagen (COL1A2) and fibronectin (FN1) and a tendency of reduced inflammatory lesions (2.8 ± 0.7 versus 1.9 ± 0.8). These beneficial effects were accompanied by reduced pulmonary gene expression of TNFα and KC, but not their plasma levels, and enhanced Nrf2-induced pulmonary antioxidant defences. In Nrf2 deficient mice, no effect of the dietary antioxidant on either histology or inflammatory lesions was observed. Conclusion Quercetin exerts anti-fibrogenic and anti-inflammatory effects on bleomycin-induced pulmonary damage in mice possibly through modulation of the redox balance by inducing Nrf2. However, quercetin could not rescue the bleomycin-induced pulmonary damage indicating that quercetin alone cannot ameliorate the progression of IPF.

scholarly journals The dietary antioxidant quercetin reduces hallmarks of bleomycin-induced lung fibrogenesis in mice

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Agnes Wilhelmina Boots ◽  
Carmen Veith ◽  
Catrin Albrecht ◽  
Roger Bartholome ◽  
Marie Jose Drittij ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gene Expression ◽  
Plasma Levels ◽  
Control Diet ◽  
Redox Balance ◽  
Current Therapy ◽  
Inflammatory Lesions ◽  
Beneficial Effects ◽  
Dietary Antioxidant ◽  
Pulmonary Damage ◽  
Deficient Mice

Abstract Background Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a chronic, lethal disease of unknown etiology. Current treatment comprises two FDA-approved drugs that can slow down yet not stop or reverse the disease. As IPF pathology is associated with an altered redox balance, adding a redox modulating component to current therapy might exert beneficial effects. Quercetin is a dietary antioxidant with strong redox modulating capacities suggested to exert part of its antioxidative effects via activation of the redox-sensitive transcription factor Nrf2. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to investigate if quercetin can exert anti-fibrotic effects in a mouse model of bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrogenesis through Nrf2-dependent restoration of redox imbalance. Methods Homozygous Nrf2 deficient mice and their wildtype littermates were fed a control diet without or with 800 mg/kg quercetin from 7 days prior to a single 1 µg/2µl per g BW bleomycin challenge until they were sacrificed 14 days afterwards. Lung tissue and plasma were collected to determine markers of fibrosis (expression of extracellular matrix genes and histopathology), inflammation (pulmonary gene expression and plasma levels of Tumor Necrosis Factor-α (TNFα) and Keratinocyte Chemoattrachtant (KC)), and redox balance (pulmonary gene expression of antioxidants and malondialdehyde-dG (MDA)- DNA adducts). Results Mice fed the enriched diet had significantly enhanced plasma and pulmonary quercetin levels (11.08 ± 0.73 µM versus 7.05 ± 0.2 µM) combined with increased pulmonary expression of Nrf2 and Nrf2-responsive genes compared to mice fed the control diet. Upon bleomycin treatment, quercetin-fed mice displayed reduced expression of collagen (COL1A2) and fibronectin (FN1) and a tendency of reduced inflammatory lesions (2.8 ± 0.7 versus 1.9 ± 0.8). These beneficial effects were accompanied by reduced pulmonary gene expression of TNFα and KC, but not their plasma levels, and enhanced Nrf2-induced pulmonary antioxidant defences. In Nrf2 deficient mice, no effect of the dietary antioxidant on either histology or inflammatory lesions was observed. Conclusion Quercetin exerts anti-fibrogenic and anti-inflammatory effects on bleomycin-induced pulmonary damage in mice possibly through modulation of the redox balance by inducing Nrf2. However, quercetin could not rescue the bleomycin-induced pulmonary damage indicating that quercetin alone cannot ameliorate the progression of IPF.

scholarly journals Dietary Choline or Trimethylamine N-oxide Supplementation Does Not Influence Atherosclerosis Development in Ldlr−/− and Apoe−/− Male Mice

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paulina Aldana-Hernández ◽  
Kelly-Ann Leonard ◽  
Yuan-Yuan Zhao ◽  
Jonathan M Curtis ◽  
Catherine J Field ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Dietary Intervention ◽  
Plasma Lipids ◽  
Control Diet ◽  
Atherosclerotic Lesion ◽  
Dietary Supplementation ◽  
Fold Increase ◽  
Lesion Size ◽  
Male Mice ◽  
Atherosclerosis Development ◽  
Dietary Choline

ABSTRACT Background Choline, an essential nutrient, is required for cell membranes, lipoprotein secretion, and methyl-group metabolism. Recently, it has been proposed that excess dietary choline consumption is metabolized to trimethylamine (TMA) by the gut microbiota; TMA is then oxidized to trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO) in the liver. Epidemiological studies have clearly shown a positive correlation between plasma TMAO concentrations and cardiovascular events. Furthermore, some studies have shown an association between excess dietary choline, plasma TMAO concentrations, and atherosclerotic lesion size in apoE knockout (Apoe−/−) mice. Objective The aim of this study was to further investigate the relation between dietary choline and atherosclerosis in 2 atherogenic mouse models, the LDL receptor knockout (Ldlr−/−) and Apoe−/− mice. Methods Six feeding trials were performed in Ldlr−/− (40% high-fat diet) and Apoe−/− (unpurified diet) male mice, aged 8–10 wk. Mice randomly received control diet (0.1% choline), or choline- (1% choline), betaine- (0.1% choline and 0.9% betaine), or TMAO- (0.1% choline and 0.12% or 0.2% TMAO) supplemented diet for ≤28 wk. After the dietary intervention, the animals were killed and tissues and blood collected. Aortic atherosclerotic plaque area, plasma lipids, and choline metabolites were quantified. Results In Ldlr−/− mice, dietary supplementation for 8 wk with choline or TMAO increased plasma TMAO concentrations by 1.6- and 4-fold, respectively. After 16 wk, there was a 2-fold increase in plasma TMAO after dietary TMAO supplementation. In Apoe−/− mice, dietary supplementation with choline, betaine, or TMAO for 12 wk did not increase plasma TMAO concentrations. However, choline and TMAO supplementation for 28 wk significantly increased plasma TMAO concentrations by 1.8- and 1.5-fold, respectively. Contrary to predictions, atherosclerotic lesion size was not altered by any of the dietary interventions, irrespective of mouse model. Conclusions In our study, high intakes of dietary choline or TMAO supplementation did not influence atherosclerosis development in Ldlr−/− or Apoe−/− male mice.

scholarly journals The dietary antioxidant quercetin reduces hallmarks of bleomycin-induced lung fibrogenesis in mice

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Agnes Wilhelmina Boots ◽  
Carmen Veith ◽  
Catrin Albrecht ◽  
Roger Bartholome ◽  
Marie Jose Drittij ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gene Expression ◽  
Lung Tissue ◽  
Plasma Levels ◽  
Control Diet ◽  
Redox Balance ◽  
Inflammatory Lesions ◽  
Beneficial Effects ◽  
Dietary Antioxidant ◽  
Pulmonary Damage ◽  
Deficient Mice

Abstract Background Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a chronic, lethal disease of which the etiology is still not fully understood. Current treatment comprises two FDA-approved drugs that can slow down yet not stop or reverse the disease. As IPF pathology is associated with an altered redox balance, adding a redox modulating component to current therapy might exert beneficial effects. Quercetin is a dietary antioxidant with strong redox modulating capacities that is suggested to exert part of its antioxidative effects via activation of the redox-sensitive transcription factor Nrf2 that regulates endogenous antioxidant levels. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to investigate if the dietary antioxidant quercetin can exert anti-fibrotic effects in a mouse model of bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrogenesis through Nrf2-dependent restoration of redox imbalance. Methods Homozygous Nrf2 deficient mice and their wildtype littermates were fed a control diet without or with 800 mg quercetin per kg diet from 7 days prior to a single 1 µg/2µl per g BW bleomycin challenge until they were sacrificed 14 days afterwards. Lung tissue and plasma were collected to determine markers of fibrosis (expression of extracellular matrix genes and histopathology), inflammation (pulmonary gene expression and plasma levels of Tumor Necrosis Factor-α (TNFα) and Keratinocyte Chemoattrachtant (KC)), and redox balance (pulmonary gene expression of antioxidants and malondialdehyde-dG (MDA)- DNA adducts). Results Mice fed the enriched diet for 7 days prior to the bleomycin challenge had significantly enhanced plasma and pulmonary quercetin levels (11.08 ± 0.73 µM versus 7.05 ± 0.2 µM) combined with increased expression of Nrf2 and Nrf2-responsive genes compared to mice fed the control diet in lung tissue. Upon bleomycin treatment, quercetin-fed mice displayed reduced expression of collagen (COL1A2) and fibronectin (FN1) and a tendency of reduced inflammatory lesions (2.8 ± 0.7 versus 1.9 ± 0.8). These beneficial effects were accompanied by reduced pulmonary gene expression of TNFα and KC, but not their plasma levels, and enhanced Nrf2-induced pulmonary antioxidant defences. In Nrf2 deficient mice, no effect of the dietary antioxidant on either histology or inflammatory lesions was observed. Conclusion Quercetin exerts anti-fibrogenic and anti-inflammatory effects on bleomycin-induced pulmonary damage in mice possibly through modulation of the redox balance by inducing Nrf2. However, quercetin could not rescue the bleomycin-induced pulmonary damage indicating that quercetin alone cannot ameliorate the progression of IPF.

scholarly journals Effect of dietary supplementation of seaweed (Ulva lactuca) and Azolla on growth performance, haematological and serum biochemical parameters of Aseel chicken

2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Vijayalingam Thavasi Alagan ◽  
Rajesh Nakulan Vatsala ◽  
Ilavarasan Sagadevan ◽  
Vairamuthu Subbiah ◽  
Venkataramanan Ragothaman
Keyword(s):  
Body Weight ◽  
Weight Gain ◽  
Growth Performance ◽  
Body Weight Gain ◽  
Control Diet ◽  
Dietary Supplementation ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Ulva Lactuca ◽  
Feed Conversion ◽  
Serum Biochemical

Abstract Background An effort was made to assess the effectiveness of dietary supplementation of Ulva lactuca (U. lactuca), a seaweed and Azolla individually and in combination on different physiological parameters of Aseel chicken. A total of 40 Aseel chicks of 8 weeks old were allocated into four groups, C1 (control), T1 (Azolla alone), T2 (seaweed alone) and T3 (seaweed plus Azolla). Aseel chicks in C1 were fed with formulated grower feed alone, birds in T1 had control diet with 5% Azolla, birds in T2 had control diet with 3% U. lactuca and birds in T3 had control diet admixtured with 5% of Azolla and 3% of U. lactuca. Parameters were recorded for a continuous period of 2 months in 15 days interval. Results The growth performance was found to be significant (P ≤ 0.05) during 30 days of feed trials and highly significant (P ≤ 0.01) during 45 and 60 days of treatment. Birds in T3 had a higher body weight gain, shank length and feed conversion efficiency followed with T1 and T2 compared to C1. PCV, RBC, WBC and heterophil counts were not influenced (P ≥ 0.05) by dietary treatments. Uric acid, creatinine, AST, glucose, triglycerides and magnesium levels revealed a high significant (P ≤ 0.01) variation, and cholesterol level showed significant (P ≤ 0.05) changes during 30th and 60th day of feed trials between the control and treatment groups. Total protein, globulin, phosphorus and electrolytes like Na, K and Cl levels were not significant (P ≥ 0.05) during 30th day and were highly significant (P ≤ 0.01) during the 60th day of the trial. Conclusions It could be noted that inclusion of U. lactuca and Azolla as feed supplement in grower chicken had a better body weight gain when given in combination (U. lactuca and Azolla) rather than supplemented with the sole entity. Based on the haematological and serum biochemical analysis, the supplementation of U. lactuca and Azolla at the levels included in this trial did not pose any threat to the physiological well-being of Aseel chicken.

scholarly journals Insulin treatment improves liver histopathology and decreases expression of inflammatory and fibrogenic genes in a hyperglycemic, dyslipidemic hamster model of NAFLD

2021 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Victoria Svop Jensen ◽  
Christian Fledelius ◽  
Christina Zachodnik ◽  
Jesper Damgaard ◽  
Helle Nygaard ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cell Activation ◽  
Insulin Treatment ◽  
Stellate Cell ◽  
Control Diet ◽  
Diabetic Patients ◽  
Liver Pathology ◽  
Hamster Model ◽  
Alcoholic Fatty Liver ◽  
Beneficial Effects ◽  
Liver Histopathology

Abstract Background Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) are highly prevalent comorbidities in patients with Type 2 diabetes. While many of these patients eventually will need treatment with insulin, little is known about the effects of insulin treatment on histopathological parameters and hepatic gene expression in diabetic patients with co-existing NAFLD and NASH. To investigate this further, we evaluated the effects of insulin treatment in NASH diet-fed hamsters with streptozotocin (STZ) -induced hyperglycemia. Methods Forty male Syrian hamsters were randomized into four groups (n = 10/group) receiving either a NASH-inducing (high fat, fructose and cholesterol) or control diet (CTRL) for four weeks, after which they were treated with STZ or sham-injected and from week five treated with either vehicle (CTRL, NASH, NASH-STZ) or human insulin (NASH-STZ-HI) for four weeks by continuous s.c. infusion via osmotic minipumps. Results NASH-STZ hamsters displayed pronounced hyperglycemia, dyslipidemia and more severe liver pathology compared to both CTRL and NASH groups. Insulin treatment attenuated dyslipidemia in NASH-STZ-HI hamsters and liver pathology was considerably improved compared to the NASH-STZ group, with prevention/reversal of hepatic steatosis, hepatic inflammation and stellate cell activation. In addition, expression of inflammatory and fibrotic genes was decreased compared to the NASH-STZ group. Conclusions These results suggest that hyperglycemia is important for development of inflammation and profibrotic processes in the liver, and that insulin administration has beneficial effects on liver pathology and expression of genes related to inflammation and fibrosis in a hyperglycemic, dyslipidemic hamster model of NAFLD.

scholarly journals Arthrospira Platensis (Spirulina) Supplementation on Laying Hens’ Performance: Eggs Physical, Chemical, and Sensorial Qualities

Foods ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (9) ◽  
pp. 386 ◽  
Author(s):  
Omri ◽  
Amraoui ◽  
Tarek ◽  
Lucarini ◽  
Durazzo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Laying Hens ◽  
Control Diet ◽  
Dietary Supplementation ◽  
Basal Diet ◽  
Egg Yolk ◽  
Arthrospira Platensis ◽  
Cholesterol Concentration ◽  
Physical Chemical ◽  
Egg Yolks ◽  
The Impact

The present study evaluated the effects of dietary supplementation of spirulina on laying hens’ performances: Eggs’ physical, chemical, and sensorial qualities. A total of 45 Lohman White hens, 44 weeks of age, were randomized into 3 groups of 15 birds. Hens were given 120 g/d of a basal diet containing 0% (control), 1.5%, and 2.5% of spirulina for 6 weeks. Albumen height and consequently Haugh unit were significantly affected by dietary supplementation of spirulina (p < 0.05) and by weeks on diet (p < 0.05). This supplement did not affect (p > 0.05) egg yolk weight or height. However, spirulina increased egg yolk redness (a*) from 1.33 (C) to 12.67 (D1) and 16.19 (D2) and reduced (p < 0.05) the yellowness (b*) parameter from 62.1(C) to 58.17 (D1) and 55.87 (D2). Egg yolks from hens fed spirulina were darker, more red, and less yellow in color than egg yolks from hens fed the control-diet (p < 0.0001). However, spirulina did not affect (p > 0.05) egg yolks’ total cholesterol concentration. In conclusion, a significant enhancement of egg yolk color was found in response to spirulina supplementation. Further investigations are needed to evaluate the impact of spirulina on egg yolks’ fatty acids profile.

scholarly journals Dietary supplementation with Bifidobacterium lactis NCC2818 from weaning reduces local immunoglobulin production in lymphoid-associated tissues but increases systemic antibodies in healthy neonates

2013 ◽  
Vol 110 (7) ◽  
pp. 1243-1252 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marie C. Lewis ◽  
Dilip V. Patel ◽  
Jenni Fowler ◽  
Swantje Duncker ◽  
Adrian W. Zuercher ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Immune System ◽  
Health Benefit ◽  
Dietary Supplementation ◽  
Nutritional Intervention ◽  
Dietary Interventions ◽  
Probiotic Supplementation ◽  
Human Infants ◽  
Bifidobacterium Lactis ◽  
Beneficial Effects ◽  
Mucosal Tissues

Weaning is associated with a major shift in the microbial community of the intestine, and this instability may make it more acquiescent than the adult microbiota to long-term changes. Modulation achieved through dietary interventions may have potentially beneficial effects on the developing immune system, which is driven primarily by the microbiota. The specific aim of the present study was to determine whether immune development could be modified by dietary supplementation with the human probiotic Bifidobacterium lactis NCC2818 in a tractable model of weaning in infants. Piglets were reared by their mothers before being weaned onto a solid diet supplemented with B. lactis NCC2818, while sibling controls did not receive supplementation. Probiotic supplementation resulted in a reduction in IgA (P< 0·0005) and IgM (P< 0·009) production by mucosal tissues but had no effect on IgG production (P>0·05). Probiotic-supplemented pigs had more mast cells than unsupplemented littermates (P< 0·0001), although numbers in both groups were low. In addition, the supplemented piglets made stronger serum IgG responses to fed and injected antigens (P< 0·05). The present findings are consistent with B. lactis NCC2818 reducing intestinal permeability induced by weaning, and suggest that the piglet is a valuable intermediate between rodent models and human infants. The results also strongly suggest that measures of the effect of probiotic supplementation on the immune system need to be interpreted carefully as proxy measures of health benefit. However, they are useful in developing an understanding of the mechanism of action of probiotic strains, an important factor in predicting favourable health outcomes of nutritional intervention.

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