Influence of probiotic sausage (Lactobacillus paracasei) on blood lipids and immunological parameters of healthy volunteers

Ten women and 10 men consumed 50 g daily of probiotic sausage (Lactobacillus paracasei LTH 2579) over 5 weeks, after a control period with conventional sausage. Four venous blood samples were taken: at the start of the study, at the end of each period, and after 2 weeks of the probiotic sausage period. Stool samples were collected on the 3rd and 9th day of defined diet at the end of each period and during a washout post-period. Total cholesterol. HDL and LDL cholesterol, triacylglycerides, antibodies against oxidized LDL, and some immunological parameters were analysed. In faecal samples, there was a statistically significant increase in the numbers of L. paracasei LTH 2579, but not in all volunteers. There was no significant influence of the probiotics on serum concentration of different cholesterol fractions and triacylglycerides. At the end of the intervention with probiotic bacteria, a significantly higher titre of antibodies against oxidized LDL was measured. The changes in immunological parameters were within physiological variation. The values of CD4 (T-helper)-lymphocytes increased after 2 weeks of supplementation with L. paracasei, but decreased to the basic value by the end of the study. A significantly positive correlation between the numbers of L. paracasei in the stool and the percentage of cells expressing CD4 was found. The expression of CD54 (ICAM-1) on lymphocytes decreased significantly after consuming probiotic sausage. The phagocytosis index of granulocytes was significantly enhanced at the end of the probiotic period as compared with controls. These findings provide evidence that L. paracasei LTH 2579 applied via sausage modulates various aspects of host immunity. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.