ABSTRACT
This study investigated the phagocytic cell response in malnourished children after oral feeding of a fermented product containing clinically proven probiotic strains of Lactobacillus acidophilus, LBKV-3. The bacterial strain is used as a probiotic for humans to test its effect on immune cell activity in undernourished children below 8 years of age. To study the immune cell activity, implantation abilities of the culture in the GI tract of malnourished children, forty-five children of 6-7 and 7-8 years were randomly selected and distributed in three groups, each comprising 15 children in each of the age group. The test group of the children was receiving 100 g product volunteers/day of freshly prepared probiotic acidophilus milk containing 107 cfu/g of culture. The control group was receiving 100 g freshly prepared "dahi" containing 107 cfu/g of the LAB while the blank group of the volunteers was receiving thermal processed (85° C/30 min) buffalo milk containing 5% fat and 10% SNF at the rate of 100 ml/day/volunteer. Feeding trial was continued for 12 weeks. Blood samples were collected at W2, W4, W8, and W12. The blood serum samples were analyzed for monocytes, neutrophils, basophils, and lymphocytes by BC-3000 + Auto Hematology Analyzer. In conclusion, consumption of PAM increased the proportion of immune cells, including monocytes, neutrophils, basophils, and lymphocytes, as well as their phagocytic activity in all age groups but proportion was significant in the test group of 7-8 years. The effects were higher during W12 compared to W2, W4, and W8, which suggest regulation of the immune system.
