This meta- analysis suggests that probiotic administration may significantly reduce serum CRP while having no significant effect on serum IL10 and TNF-α
We conducted this systematic review and meta- analysis of prospect i ve studies to determine the effect of  probiotic administration on serum C-reactive protein ( CRP ) concentrations .
Enhancement of immunity in the elderly by dietary supplementation with the probiotic Bifidobacterium lactis HN019.
BACKGROUND The aging process can lead to a decline in cellular immunity . Therefore , the elderly could benefit from safe and effective interventions that restore cellular immune functions . OBJECTIVE We determined whether dietary supplementation with the known immunostimulating probiotic Bifidobacterium lactis HN019 could enhance aspects of cellular immunity in elderly subjects . DESIGN Thirty healthy elderly volunteers ( age range : 63 - 84 y ; median : 69 y ) participated in a 3-stage dietary supplementation trial lasting 9 wk . During stage 1 ( run-in ) , subjects consumed low-fat milk ( 200 mL twice daily for 3 wk ) as a base-diet control . During stage 2 ( intervention ) , they consumed milk supplemented with B. lactis HN019 in a typical dose ( 5 x 10(10 ) organisms/d ) or a low dose ( 5 x 10(9 ) organisms/d ) for 3 wk . During stage 3 ( washout ) , they consumed low-fat milk for 3 wk . Changes in the relative proportions of leukocyte subsets and ex vivo leukocyte phagocytic and tumor-cell-killing activity were determined longitudinally by assaying peripheral blood sample s. RESULTS Increases in the proportions of total , helper ( CD4(+ ) ) , and activated ( CD25(+ ) ) T lymphocytes and natural killer cells were measured in the subjects ' blood after consumption of B. lactis HN019 . The ex vivo phagocytic capacity of mononuclear and polymorphonuclear phagocytes and the tumoricidal activity of natural killer cells were also elevated after B. lactis HN019 consumption . The greatest changes in immunity were found in subjects who had poor pretreatment immune responses . In general , the 2 doses of B. lactis HN019 had similar effectiveness . CONCLUSION B. lactis HN019 could be an effective probiotic dietary supplement for enhancing some aspects of cellular immunity in the elderly
This meta- analysis suggests that probiotic administration may significantly reduce serum CRP while having no significant effect on serum IL10 and TNF-α
We conducted this systematic review and meta- analysis of prospect i ve studies to determine the effect of  probiotic administration on serum C-reactive protein ( CRP ) concentrations .