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This Article Full Text (PDF) All Versions of this Article: jas.2007-0494v1 87/5/1731    most recent Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Fleige, S. Articles by Pfaffl, M.W. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Fleige, S. Articles by Pfaffl, M.W.

The immuno-modulatory effect of lactulose on Enterococcus faecium fed pre-ruminant calves

S. Fleige^*, W. Preißinger, H.H.D. Meyer^* and M.W. Pfaffl^*

^* Physiology Weihenstephan, Center of Life and Food Sciences, Technische Universität München, 85354 Freising, Germany Institut für Tierernährung und Futterwirtschaft, Bayerische Landesanstalt für Landwirtschaft, 85586 Poing-Grub, Germany

michael.pfaffl{at}wzw.tum.de

Abstract

Prebiotics and probiotics could represent an effective alternative to the use of synthetic antibiotics in nutrition. The mechanisms by which prebiotics affect the immune system are not investigated yet in detail. Most effects are attributed to the increase of the innate and the acquired immune response. This study was conducted to elucidate the long-term effects of orally administered lactulose on the immune response of the intestinal tract of probiotic-fed calves. Pre-ruminant calves were randomized to 3 feeding groups: milk replacer containing no lactulose (L0), 1% lactulose (L1), or 3% lactulose (L3). All 3 milk replacers contained 10⁹ cfu Enterococcus faecium per kg. The mRNA expression of different cell activation markers, pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines, and immunoglobulin A Fc Receptor (IgA FcR) were investigated in the ileum, mesenterial lymph node, spleen, and white blood cells. A significantly higher number of blood lymphocytes were detected in the L3 group (P = 0.02) than in control group. The expression results in male calves indicated that the transcription of IgA FcR in the ileal mucosa of the L1 treatment group increased significantly (P = 0.04) and also tended to increase in group L3 (P = 0.07). Furthermore a decrease of interleukin (IL)-10 and interferon- mRNA expression was observed in the ileum (P = 0.04). The CD4 presenting lymphocytes were decreased significantly in the ileum (P = 0.04) and mesenteric lymph node (P = 0.01), whereas CD8 presenting lymphocytes were increased in blood (P = 0.03) of females. Other pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, IL-8, and tumor necrosis factor-) and anti-inflammatory cytokines (transforming growth factor-beta 1) did not show significant differences in mRNA level among treatment groups. The results indicate that additional lactulose feeding has an immune modulatory effect on the composition of T cell subsets in different immune compartments and minor effects on pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokine mRNA expression.

Key Words: : anti-inflammatory cytokines • immuno-modulation • lactulose • T cell subsets • prebiotics