Study Shows Key Gut Differences in Gluten-free Dieting Versus Treatment with Bifidobacterium Infantis

Celiac.com 12/09/2020 - Research has shown that oral Bifidobacterium infantis Natren Life Start super strain (NLS-SS) can reduce gastro-intestinal symptoms in untreated celiac disease patients. Because the reduction in symptoms was not due to any change in intestinal permeability, serum cytokine levels, chemokines, or growth factors, researchers have hypothesized that the reduction of symptoms seen in celiac patients treated with B. infantis may be associated with the modulation of innate immunity. To test that hypothesis, a team of researchers recently investigated the potential mechanics of a probiotic B.infantis Natren Life Start super strain on the mucosal expression of innate immune markers in adults with active untreated celiac disease, compared with those treated with B. infantis at 6 weeks and after 1 year on a gluten-free diet.

The research team included Maria I. Pinto-Sánchez, MD, Edgardo C. Smecuol, MD, Maria P. Temprano, RD, Emilia Sugai, BSBC, Andrea González, RD, PhD, María L. Moreno,MD, Xianxi Huang, MD, PhD, Premysl Bercik, MD, Ana Cabanne, MD, Horacio Vázquez, MD, Sonia Niveloni, MD, Roberto Mazure, MD, Eduardo Mauriño, MD, Elena F. Verdú , MD, PhD, and Julio C. Bai, MD.

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They are variously affiliated with the Medicine Department, Farcombe Family Digestive Health Research Institute, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada; the Small Intestinal Section, Department of Medicine; the Department of Alimentation, Dr. C. Bonorino Udaondo, Gastroenterology Hospital; the Research Institute, Universidad del Salvador, Buenos Aires, Argentina.

The team used immunohistochemistry in duodenal biopsies to assess the numbers of macrophages and Paneth cells, and the expression of a-defen-sin-5. The results showed that a gluten-free diet decreases duodenal macrophage counts in celiac disease patients more substantially than B. infantis, while B. infantis decreases Paneth cell counts and expression of a-defensin-5 in celiac patients.

This study showed key physical differences between a year of gluten-free dieting, and the innate immune effects after treatment with B. infantis. They also point out the need to further study potentially synergistic effects of gluten-free diet and B. infantis together.

Readmore in the J Clin Gastroenterol 2016;00:000–000