[Enhancement of the phagocytic activity of cells of the mononuclear phagocytosing system by the peroral administration of lactobacilli].

The phagocytic function of the peritoneal exudate cells after oral and intraperitoneal administration of Lactobacillus casei subsp. casei, L. plantarum and L. fermentum was studied on mice C57Bl and inbred rats CDF/F344/Crl. The phagocytic function was estimated by the capacity for absorbing and excreting 14C-labeled typhoid vaccine. Intraperitoneal administration of a mixture of various Lactobacillus strains resulted in two-fold increase of the bacteria absorption and digestion when the Lactobacillus strains were administered 4 days before administration of the test antigen. On their simultaneous administration the phagocytic function of the peritoneal exudate cells lowered. Oral administration of the Lactobacillus strains for 6 and 18 days resulted, respectively, in 1.5- and 3-fold increase of absorption and digestion of the labeled typhoid vaccine. This route of Lactobacillus administration provided more rapid increase of the level of the antibodies to the typhoid antigen. Possible immunomodulating action of Lactobacillus administered orally is discussed.