Lactobacillus plantarum IS-10506 supplementation increases faecal sIgA and immune response in children younger than two years.

The immature intestinal immune system in young children develops as it comes into contact with dietary and microbial antigens in the gut. Intestinal microbiota plays a significant role in host defence mechanisms as shown by inflammatory responses towards potential pathogens. We investigated the probiotic function of Lactobacillus plantarum IS-10506 of 'dadih' origin in modulating immune response in young children. We aimed to assess its effect on their immune response by assessing transforming growth factor-ß1 (TGF-ß1) and tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) responses and faecal secretory immunoglobulin A (sIgA) titre in a randomised, double-blinded placebo-controlled trial in 12-24-month-old children (n=38). We used four treatment groups for a 90-day supplementation period: placebo (n=11), probiotic (n=9), zinc (n=8) and probiotic and zinc (n=10). Faecal sIgA, plasma TGF-ß1 and TNF-α titre were evaluated using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay standard technique. Statistical analysis divided the results (pre/post treatment) into high (>1) and low (<1) ratios. The results showed that faecal sIgA titre increased in all treatment groups compared with the control (placebo) and significantly increased in the probiotic group (P=0.05). In addition, the TGF-ß1 ratio in the zinc group was significantly higher (P=0.05) than that in the placebo group. We observed a significant positive correlation between TGF-ß1/TNF-α and faecal sIgA (r=0.27, P=0.04). Post hoc test results revealed that zinc supplementation has a significant effect on body-weight gain. Taken together, probiotic L. plantarum IS-10506 supplementation stimulates TGF-ß1, which in turn increases the production of sIgA, in line with the significant correlation between TGF-ß1/TNF-α and faecal sIgA.

Bacterial mutagenicity of terasi and antimutagenicity of Indonesian jasmine tea against terasi.

Terasi, a traditional fermented product of Indonesia was evaluated by Salmonella mutagenesis assay. The higher the heating temperature and the longer the heating time, the more mutagenicity observed in both terasi and its starter, and the highest mutagenic activity was shown by heating each of them at 100 degrees C for 60 min. Terasi starter has stronger mutagenic properties as compared to terasi. Indonesian jasmine tea, which is a yellow tea, was examined for its antimutagenic properties against mutagenic terasi. Tea component presented in fraction C (water soluble, chloroform and ethyl acetate insoluble fraction) as well as in fraction D (water soluble, chloroform, ethyl acetate and n-butanol insoluble fraction) were found to suppress the mutagenicities exerted by heated terasi and heated terasi starter. Yet, the tea components presented in fraction E (chloroform soluble fraction) were found to enhance the mutagenicity of terasi.