Some examples of the GG probiotic’s effects on immunity are:
• It sends molecular signals to immune cells, telling them to decrease or increase their activity.
• It stimulates immune cells to fight harmful microbes, such as rotavirus or E. coli, in the intestinal tract.
Protective effect of Lactobacillus GG on small intestines during rotavirus infection.
No RV / RV infection / RV infection + L. GG
Arrows indicate massive loss of intestinal cells due to rotavirus infection.
Small intestines of animals given GG probiotic before rotavirus infection did not show any damage.
RV = rotavirus
[Zhang et al. 2013]
• It stimulates immune cells to attack and overcome harmful germs in the respiratory tract, such as the influenza (‘flu) virus.
GG probiotic boosts immune factors (black bars) in the lungs during influenza infection
TNF = Tumour Necrosing Factor
IL-1β = Interleukin-1Lβ
MCP-1 = Monocyte chemotatic protein
[Adapted from Harata et al. 2010]
Culture plates showing amount of bacteria in lung fluid from mice with pneumonia. Very few pneumonia bacteria are found in the lungs of mice given GG probiotic
Left plate = mice without Lactobacillus GG. Right plate = mice fed on Lactobacillus GG.
[Khailova et al. 2013]
Microscopic sections of lung. Severity of pneumonia is significantly reduced in the lungs of mice given Lactobacillus GG. [Khailova et al 2014]
• It keeps the body’s inflammatory reaction from over-stimulation. Due to this control over inflammation, it protects organs such as the intestines from being injured by a hyperactive immune response.
Effect of Lactobacillus GG on acute inflammation of the large intestine. Microscopic sections of colon from mice fed a chemical substance to rapidly induce inflammation. Mice given GG probiotic suffer much less intestinal inflammation and injury than those without the probiotic.
[Amit-Romach et al. 2008]
Effect of Lactobacillus GG on prolonged inflammation of the large intestine. Microscopic sections of colon from mice fed a chemical substance over a long period to induce prolonged inflammation. Mice given GG probiotic suffer much less intestinal inflammation and injury than those without the probiotic.
[Moon et al. 2008]
• It stimulates the growth of antibody-producing cells, boosting immunity.
• It stimulates the production of immune cells which destroy cancer cells. One of these is called the Natural-Killer (NK) cell.
• When consumed by mothers who are breastfeeding, it stimulates the production of proteins with the ability to modulate immunity, in the breast milk. When their babies breastfeed, these immune factors, such as TGF-β and s-CD14, enter the babies and reduce allergy.
• It suppresses allergic inflammation in the intestinal tract, lungs, and skin.
Comparison of allergic immune response between baby mice whose mothers were given Lactobacillus GG before pregnancy, during pregnancy and lactation and those whose mothers did not receive the probiotic. Levels of immune factors in lung fluids were measured.
Allergic immune factors, IL-4 and IL-5, were suppressed in those whose mothers took GG probiotic.
[Blumer et al. 2007]
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