Loading...
Probiotics: immunomodulation and evaluation of safety and efficacy.
Citations
Altmetric:
Series / Report no.
Open Access
Type
Article
Language
en
Date
2006-01-01
Research Projects
Organizational Units
Journal Issue
Title
Probiotics: immunomodulation and evaluation of safety and efficacy.
Translated Title
Published in
Abstract
The intake of probiotics has been associated with beneficial effects on the immune system, such as improved disease resistance and diminished risk of allergies. This review gives an overview of the immunomodulatory effects of probiotics investigated with in vitro assays, experimental animal models, and clinical trials, and explores possible mechanisms underlying the immunomodulatory effects. Immunomodulation, however, is not always beneficial and might induce detrimental effects; therefore, a scheme is proposed for benefit-risk assessment of immunomodulation by probiotics. Within this scheme, expert judgment based on data derived from a panel of in vitro assays, animal models, and clinical trials should lead to conclusions on efficacy and safety aspects of probiotics.