For formulation of commercial probiotic products, the most straightforward way to proceed is to purchase ready-made dried bacterial concentrates from established manufacturers. The exercise then becomes one of making contact with a range of manufacturers, explaining your need and asking them which of their strains best fit your needs and what evidence they have in support. You can then make your choices. Lallemand would be a good place to start, also the other members of the IPA (International Probiotics Association).

I think it should be interesting to test lactobacilli and bifidobacteria for this aim. I can recommend Lactobacillua acidophilus or other lactobacilli isolated directly from milk of animals.

I am no expert in field of immunology, however, I would like to follow this topic.

Many probiotics could exert an immunomodulatory effects. These effects have been described in different animal models and in humans affected by a number of different conditions. Among these LGG, and S.boulardii , and probiotics mix named VSL3 are the best characterized. The first two in particular in pediatric patients affected by infections-induced inflammation of the GI tract or (LGG) in food allergy induced GI inflammation. VSL mainly in IBD. But also other strains of Lactobacilli are emerging as potent anti-inflammatory bugs able to limit inflammation also at extraintestinal level. The mechanisms of these effects are not fully characterized. Some bacteria components (bacterial wall components, specific peptides, or nucletides) are able to link specific receptors (mainly TLRs) on dendritic cells or other cells and to regulate the activity of NFK-B and subsequent cytokines production. A more aspecific effect derive from the production of SCFAs (butyrate in particular) at gut level. SCFAs are potent anti-inflammatory agents.

Thank you very much for your input.

In the setting of HIV infection, there is some evidence of anti-inflammatory or "pro-GALT" effects of nutritional interventions using synbiotics (VSL#3+inulin), probiotics (Streptococcus salivarius ssp. termophilus, Bifidobacterium breve,

Bifidobacterium infantis, Bifidobacterium longum, Lactobacillus acidophilus,

Lactobacillus plantarum, Lactobacillus casei), prebiotics, yeasts (Saccharomyces boulardii), glutamine, serum bovine colostrum and more complex interventions including some of the previous + N-acetilcysteine, short-chain fatty acids and antioxidants. There are even ongoing trials of "gut microbiota restoration", using fecal transplantation from HIV-uninfected healthy donors.

There are some very intriguing strains, such as E. coli Nissle 1917 or L. rhamnosus that have not been addressed in HIV-infected patients. I feel it will be very hard for a single probiotic strain to have detectable effects in the restoration of the very altered microbial community (secondary to a very damaged gut) in HIV-infected patients. However, in order to design new interventions it seems important to identify probiotics with the best anti-inflammatory profile. This field is fascinating and needs to be further explored.

I totally agree. However, when designing a clinical study, it seems a safer bet (in terms of being able to detect a clinical effect) to use broader interventions (pre/probiotics, PUFA,...) with potentially differenct beneficial effects, such as investigators of the BITE study did (PMID: 23511299). I think an efficient approach might be to retrieve data of each particular strain from animal models, to the design nutritional supplements keeping in ming the effects needed in each situation, i.e., in treated HIV infection, enhancing the enterocyte barrier and improving Th17/Treg balance.

Please see: http://www.nature.com/srep/2014/140401/srep04548/full/srep04548.html?WT.ec_id=SREP-20140408

Prevention of quality of life (QOL) deterioration is associated with the inhibition of geriatric diseases and the regulation of brain function. However, no substance is known that prevents the aging of both body and brain. It is known that polyamine concentrations in somatic tissues (including the brain) decrease with increasing age, and polyamine-rich foods enhance longevity in yeast, worms, flies, and mice, and protect flies from age-induced memory impairment. A main source of exogenous polyamines is the intestinal lumen, where they are produced by intestinal bacteria. We found that arginine intake increased the concentration of putrescine in the colon and increased levels of spermidine and spermine in the blood. Mice orally administered with arginine in combination with the probiotic bifidobacteria LKM512 long-term showed suppressed inflammation, improved longevity, and protection from age-induced memory impairment. This study shows that intake of arginine and LKM512 may prevent aging-dependent declines in QOL via the upregulation of polyamines.

I also agree with the opinion of Elnaz Vaghef-Mehrabany... there are many strains which could be used for the purpose but it varies from person to person. That's why there is always a need of preliminary trials for the selection of the probiotics. However, a lot of information and data is available which highly supports the use of various strains of Lactobacillus (specially acidophillus).

I agree with the view of colleagues that many probiotics could exert an immunomodulatory effects. These effects have been described in different animal models and in humans affected by a number of different conditions. Moreover, also some Streptococcus strains are very good probiotical strains, I have such experience.

I would like to write also that the best candidate probiotics can be used as anti-inflammatory agents, I mean bacteria of Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium and maybe some Streptococcus strains.

I can write that for me is very interesting also contribution of Kevin Healey, I agree with his words.

Nobody knows as no comparative studies are done. Most Probiotics on the market are without benefits, some have ev en opposite effects to what intended. A minority of Probiotics have demonstrated significant Clinical effects. I have the last 15 years worked with Synbiotics 2000 Standard and Forte and am satisfied with what I see.

Read more in:

Pharmacol Res. 2013 Mar;69(1):87-113. doi: 10.1016/j.phrs.2012.09.002. Epub 2012 Sep 16.

Gut microbiota, immune development and function.

Bengmark S.

Author information

Abstract

The microbiota of Westerners is significantly reduced in comparison to rural individuals living a similar lifestyle to our Paleolithic forefathers but also to that of other free-living primates such as the chimpanzee. The great majority of ingredients in the industrially produced foods consumed in the West are absorbed in the upper part of small intestine and thus of limited benefit to the microbiota. Lack of proper nutrition for microbiota is a major factor under-pinning dysfunctional microbiota, dysbiosis, chronically elevated inflammation, and the production and leakage of endotoxins through the various tissue barriers. Furthermore, the over-comsumption of insulinogenic foods and proteotoxins, such as advanced glycation and lipoxidation molecules, gluten and zein, and a reduced intake of fruit and vegetables, are key factors behind the commonly observed elevated inflammation and the endemic of obesity and chronic diseases, factors which are also likely to be detrimental to microbiota. As a consequence of this lifestyle and the associated eating habits, most barriers, including the gut, the airways, the skin, the oral cavity, the vagina, the placenta, the blood-brain barrier, etc., are increasingly permeable. Attempts to recondition these barriers through the use of so called 'probiotics', normally applied to the gut, are rarely successful, and sometimes fail, as they are usually applied as adjunctive treatments, e.g. in parallel with heavy pharmaceutical treatment, not rarely consisting in antibiotics and chemotherapy. It is increasingly observed that the majority of pharmaceutical drugs, even those believed to have minimal adverse effects, such as proton pump inhibitors and anti-hypertensives, in fact adversely affect immune development and functions and are most likely also deleterious to microbiota. Equally, it appears that probiotic treatment is not compatible with pharmacological treatments. Eco-biological treatments, with plant-derived substances, or phytochemicals, e.g. curcumin and resveratrol, and pre-, pro- and syn-biotics offers similar effects as use of biologicals, although milder but also free from adverse effects. Such treatments should be tried as alternative therapies; mainly, to begin with, for disease prevention but also in early cases of chronic diseases. Pharmaceutical treatment has, thus far, failed to inhibit the tsunami of endemic diseases spreading around the world, and no new tools are in sight. Dramatic alterations, in direction of a paleolithic-like lifestyle and food habits, seem to be the only alternatives with the potential to control the present escalating crisis. The present review focuses on human studies, especially those of clinical relevance.

Clin Transl Med. 2012 May 28;1(1):6. doi: 10.1186/2001-1326-1-6.

Integrative medicine and human health - the role of pre-, pro- and synbiotics.

Bengmark S.

Author information

Abstract

Western lifestyle is associated with a sustained low grade increase in inflammation -increased levels of endotoxin in the body and increased activation of Toll-like receptors and neutrophils, which leads to impaired immunity and reduced resistance to disease, changes which might explain the epidemic of chronic diseases spreading around the globe. The immune system cannot function properly without access to bacteria and raw plants, rich not only in bacteria but also in plant fibre, antioxidants, healthy fats and numerous other nutrients. Modern food technology with plant breeding, separation, condensation of food ingredients, heating, freezing, drying, irradiation, microwaving, are effective tool to counteract optimal immune function, and suspected to be a leading cause of so called Western diseases. Supply of pre-, pro-, and synbiotics have sometimes proved to be effective tools to counteract, especially acute diseases, but have often failed, especially in chronic diseases. Thousands of factors contribute to unhealth and numerous alterations in life style and food habits are often needed, in order to prevent and cure "treatment-resistant" chronic diseases. Such alterations include avoiding processed foods rich in pro-inflammatory molecules, but also a focus on consuming substantial amounts of foods with documented anti-inflammatory effects, often raw and fresh green vegetables and tubers such as turmeric/curcumin

Maybe I agree with many words of colleague Stig Bengmark, however, our lactobacilli are very useful and active. This fact was confirmed by some field studies. These strains can also decrease significantly the activity of some pathogens.

I would like to write also that the best candidate probiotics can be used as anti-inflammatory agents, I mean bacteria of Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium and maybe some Streptococcus strains.

I can write that for me is very interesting also contribution of Kevin Healey, I agree with his words.

As a rheumatologist & clinical immunologist (with two brothers who are veterinerians) I'm wondering how anyone can figure out why and how ingested proteins (what else shall probiotics represent) can exert reproducible effects on the immune system at all. Beyond IBD (local efffects on the mucosa) and perhaps some forms of allergic reactions, I would not expect any effect of these remedies. For sure, in inflammatory rheumatic disaeses they don't have any effect.

I agree with words of Mr. Kevin Lomasley that it could be right to say that ingested probiotics will have little or no effect for rheumatic diseases, the anti-inflammatory peptides isolated from probiotics may provide a rich, novel source of therapeutics for a variety of inflammatory disorders. However, there is still a long way to go! Maybe in inflammatory rheumatic diseases they do not have any effect.

Faecalibacterium prausnitzii and Propionibacterium freudenreichii

One of the most important aspects is the concentration. A particular bacterial strain may induce anti-inflammatory effects (how do you measure those is another issue) at low concentrations but produce pro-inflammatory ones at higher concentrations. In my lab we usually run dose-effect experiments in vitro and measure pro and anti inflammatory cytokines. See Musharrafieh et al Vet Microbiology 2014 paper.

I am pleased by contribution of Irene Salinas. It is very interesting for me and I will study also this et Microbiology 2014 paper.

I would like to thank to colleague Ami Patel for very interesting contribution. Igor

Really interesting.

I can read a very interesting scientific contribution, however, I am microbiologist and from my point of view, probiotics are very good preventers (protectors) gut microflora and can destroy many pathogenic bacteria by their ensymatical activity.

I can read a very interesting scientific contribution, however, I am microbiologist and from my point of view, probiotics are very good preventers (protectors) gut microflora and can destroy many pathogenic bacteria by their enzymes.

Thank you Mr.Ami Patel, I agree with you that we need more research also in category related to probiotics, it is very important.

Dear Kevin, thank you for your view that we do need more research in this area! I am microbiologist and that is why I explaned it from my point of view.

Interesting. What about E. coli strain Nissle as anti-inflamatory probiotic candidate?

I can wait for a good view of one our colleagues.

I can wait for a good view of one from our colleagues.

I agree with Roberto, Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG has been very well characterized and have been reported to alleviate allergies, inflammation and irritable bowel syndrome. This probiotic bacteria has the ability to inhibit various pathogenic microbes which induce inflammations. As one ages, probiotic strains tend to decrease in number. Thus, their introduction into food products is geared towards increasing their numbers in the gut for health benefits.

I think there is good evidence both from experimental and clinical studies of the anti-inflammatory effects oft E. coli Nissle 1917 (for example, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24059806)

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24059806

I find that the yeast Saccharomyces boulardii might also become useful in other settings:

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24059806

During my MSc research, I found that L. rhamnosus (both GG and one from a commercially available yogurt starter) could down regulate constitutive IL-8 and IL-6 as well as modulate the upregulation of both cytokines during challenge with pathogenic bacteria in vitro. We also saw some interesting things using L. helveticus, but these responses seemed more selective. I agree with the person who suggested Lallemand as a good place to obtain probiotic strains. All ours were obtained from Instuit Rosell (Lallemand).

I can write that i fully agree with Mrs. Emily Turner-Brannen, It is a very good view on this problem. Igor

I would start at a very basic level. Are we talking humans, because if the topic is for rats to study disease then answer would be different. You want strains that will populate and not be transients. The second consideration is where they prefer to live. Some strains prefer the small intestine, some prefer the large intestine. You did not specify where the "inflammation" was, so I assume that its systemic or at least GI. If it is focused e.g. in ulcerative colitis then you would want large intestine strains (e.g. Bifido…). If it is small and large then you want a mixture. If it is a systemic respond like obesity or metabolic syndrome again strains that will populate both small and large intestine.

As for the specific anti-inflammatory role it is best that one considers that this action will primarily be through the elimination of a pro-inflammatory signal, initiated by a stain that is toxic.

The other, more complicated consideration, is how the strain interacts or behaves with certain nutrients. It may behave quite well until a certain nutrient (form or amount) is delivered and then it changes its behavior.

So these are some of the things to think about when "designing" a microbial approach to suppressing inflammation.

I would like to write here that I am microbiologist and I use beneficial probiotic bacteria which are present in our intestine or inoculated into GIT for their antimicrobial effect, detoxify toxins and are active in the inhibition of many pathogens. So, it is an approach to prove their clinical significance in various gastrointestinal problems.In many cases we are having positive results like curing diarrhea in various animals. That is why probiotic bacteria are very useful bacteria for people and animals.

Few strains of L. rhamnosus, L.casei strain Shirota, probiotics mixures (VSL3) and even yeast S.boulardii are good example of probiotics that have been proven to be effective in some way in the treatment of IBD & IBS. Many clinical trails in animals as well as in human showed promising results. These beneficial microbes have immunomodulatory and antimicrobial effects.

I would like to write that the contribution of Mr. Nihir Shah is very interesting for me because he describes good example of probiotics that have been proven to be effective in some way in the treatment of IBD & IBS. Many clinical trails in animals as well as in human showed promising results. These beneficial microbes have immunomodulatory and antimicrobial effects. It is very interesting also for me.