Probiotics in Prevention of Allergies, Obesity and Caries (ELEFANT)

Effects of Feeding Lactobacillus F19 to Infants During Weaning on Allergies, Immune Programming, Gut Microbiota, Overweight and Oral Health

Karolinska Institutet, University of Helsinki, The Swedish Research Council for Environment, Agricultural Sciences and Spatial Planning (FORMAS), Medical Research Council, Ekhagastiftelsen, The county of Västerbotten, Oskar Foundation

During the period of 2000-2003, 179 healthy, term infants with no previous signs of allergic disease were recruited and randomized to daily intake of cereals with or without the addition of Lactobacillus paracasei subspecies paracasei strain F19 (LF19) from 4-13 months of age. The effects of LF19 on gut microbial composition, infections, allergies, immunological development, growth and blood lipids were monitored. Of 179 included infants, 171 completed the study. The study product was well tolerated with no observed side effects. Compliance was excellent. In a follow-up study, the aim is to investigate the long-term effects of feeding LF19 during weaning on allergies, immune programming, overweight, gut microbial composition and oral health in 8-year old children. The investigators' primary outcome will be to determine whether daily intake of LF19 during weaning results in less eczema at 8 years of age, and if the preventive effect encompasses also respiratory allergies and immunoglobulin E (IgE) - sensitization. The long term effects on gut microbial composition, overweight and metabolic markers will be investigated. Furthermore, the possible preventive effects of LF19 on caries will be assessed.

Infant cereals with the addition of Lactobacillus paracasei subsp. paracasei strain F19 (LF19) 10E8 CFU per serving

Infant cereals with the addition of Lactobacillus paracasei subsp. paracasei strain F19 (LF19)10E8 CFU per serving

Inclusion Criteria: Healthy infants born at term (gestational age 37-42 weeks) Birth weight > 2500 g Vaginally delivered No atopic manifestation A normal diet for age No medication that could have affected the intestinal microbiota

Karlsson Videhult F, Ohlund I, Stenlund H, Hernell O, West CE. Probiotics during weaning: a follow-up study on effects on body composition and metabolic markers at school age. Eur J Nutr. 2015 Apr;54(3):355-63. doi: 10.1007/s00394-014-0715-y. Epub 2014 May 17.

West CE, Gothefors L, Granstrom M, Kayhty H, Hammarstrom ML, Hernell O. Effects of feeding probiotics during weaning on infections and antibody responses to diphtheria, tetanus and Hib vaccines. Pediatr Allergy Immunol. 2008 Feb;19(1):53-60. doi: 10.1111/j.1399-3038.2007.00583.x. Epub 2007 Dec 11.

West CE, Hammarstrom ML, Hernell O. Probiotics during weaning reduce the incidence of eczema. Pediatr Allergy Immunol. 2009 Aug;20(5):430-7. doi: 10.1111/j.1399-3038.2009.00745.x. Epub 2009 Mar 9.

West CE, Hernell O, Andersson Y, Sjostedt M, Hammarstrom ML. Probiotic effects on T-cell maturation in infants during weaning. Clin Exp Allergy. 2012 Apr;42(4):540-9. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2222.2011.03941.x.

West CE, Hammarstrom ML, Hernell O. Probiotics in primary prevention of allergic disease--follow-up at 8-9 years of age. Allergy. 2013 Aug;68(8):1015-20. doi: 10.1111/all.12191. Epub 2013 Jul 30.

Hasslof P, West CE, Videhult FK, Brandelius C, Stecksen-Blicks C. Early intervention with probiotic Lactobacillus paracasei F19 has no long-term effect on caries experience. Caries Res. 2013;47(6):559-65. doi: 10.1159/000350524. Epub 2013 Jul 4.