IMMUNOMODULATING EFFECT OF PROBIOTICS B. animalis SUBSP. Lactis BB-12 AND L. rhamnosus GG DURING TUMOR GROWTH
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.15407/oncology.2025.02.129Keywords:
tumour process, B. animalis subsp. lactis BB-12, L. rhamnosus GG, macrophages, polarization stateAbstract
Summary. Aim: experimental study of the effect of B. animalis subsp. lactis BB-12 and L. rhamnosus GG on the functional activity of macrophages (Mph) in intact animals and in animals with a model tumor process. Object and methods: studies were conducted on female BALB/c mice. Ehrlich adenocarcinoma was used as the experimental model. Two series of experiments were conducted: Series I: Probiotics (B. animalis subsp. lactis BB-12 or L. rhamnosus GG) were administered to intact animals. Series II: Probiotics were administered to animals with transplanted tumours. The probiotic administration scheme was the same for both series: for 28 days, daily, per os, 7×10⁵ CFU/mouse. The functional activity of macrophages (Mph) was determined based on the level of nitric oxide (NO) production, arginase (Arg) activity and the production of cytokines TNF-α and IL-10. In animals bearing the tumour model, the levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and the phagocytic activity of Mph were also determined. The results were statistically processed using generally accepted variational statistical methods. Results: in the absence of a tumour process, the use of B. animalis led to a slight decrease in NO production (by 1.1 times) and a significant increase in Arg activity (by 1.8 times, p < 0.05). When L. rhamnosus GG was used, these indicators did not differ significantly from those observed in intact animals. Changes in the cytokines produced by Mph depended on the probiotic used: a significant increase in IL-10 levels and a decrease in TNF-α levels were noted in mice administered bifidobacteria, while cytokine production was maintained at intact control levels in mice treated with L. rhamnosus GG. Similar results were obtained when studying the effect of these probiotics on the polarisation state of Mph in animals bearing model tumours. Analysis of L-arginine metabolism, ROS levels, cytokine spectrum and phagocytic activity demonstrated that B. animalis subsp. lactis BB-12 promotes the polarization of Mph towards the M2 type, which is necessary to limit excessive inflammation but has pro-tumour properties. The application of L. rhamnosus GG had the opposite effect, with long-term preservation of M1 polarization noted even at an advanced stage of tumour growth. This is important for maintaining the antitumour immune response. Conclusion: the possibility of targeted change in the polarization state and, accordingly, the functional properties of macrophages, using probiotics with predetermined properties may be useful in the treatment of patients with various pathological conditions.
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