Effect of Lactobacillus plantarum IS10506 on blood lipopolysaccharide level and immune response in HIVinfected children

Background and Objectives: HIV enteropathy may cause disruption of the intestinal barrier, leading to a loss of CD4+ T cells, increased intestinal permeability, and microbial translocation. Lactobacillus plantarum IS10506 has the ability to improve gut barrier function. This study investigated the effect of L. plantarum IS10506 on a number of biomarkers of enteropathyrelated damage in HIVinfected paediatric patients undergoing antiretroviral therapy (ARV). #xD; Materials and Methods: A randomized, doubleblind, placebocontrolled study was conducted on 218 yearold children, diagnosed as HIV infected according to the WHO 2007 criteria who had received ARV for #x2265; 6 months. Subjects were excluded if ARV therapy was discontinued or the patients took probiotics #x2265; 2 weeks prior to the study or during the study period. Subjects were randomized into a probiotic group and placebo group. The probiotic group received L. plantarum IS10506 2.86 #xD7; 1010 cfu/day for 6 days. Blood lipopolysaccharide (LPS) level, serum CD4+ T cell count, serum CD8+ T cell count, CD4+/CD8+ T cell ratio, and faecal sIgA level were assessed as biomarkers. #xD; Results: Twentyone subjects completed this study. The blood LPS level decreased significantly in the probiotic group (p = 0.001). There was no significant difference in absolute CD4+ T cell count, percent CD4+ cells, absolute CD8+ T cell count, CD4+/CD8+ T cell ratio, or faecal sIgA. No serious adverse events were reported. #xD; Conclusion: The probiotic L. plantarum IS10506 reduced the blood LPS level but showed no effect on the humoral mucosa and systemic immune response in HIVinfected children undergoing ARV therapy.