A Systematic Evaluation of the Immunomodulatory and Functional Properties of Probiotic Bifidobacterium breve BR03 (DSM 16604) Lactobacillus plantarum LP01 (LMG P-21021)

The human intestinal microbiota may be considered as a post-natally acquired organ composed of a large diversity of bacteria with different functions on human health. Probiotics are widely used to improve gut functionality and immune system responses. The aim of this study was to evaluate the capability of the bacterial strains Bifidobacterium breve BR03 (DSM 16604) and Lactobacillus plantarum LP01 (LMG P-21021) to induce an in vitro immune response in the peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of healthy adult volunteers and to modify the state of oxidative stress and intestinal permeability of in vitro cell models. Specifically, the analysis was conducted on PBMCs after different stimulation times in order to analyze both cells involved in innate immunity and those responsible for acquired immunity and to evaluate the oxidative stress, and on Caco-2 cell line as an intestinal epithelium model.