Lactobacillus casei: influence on the innate immune response and haemostatic alterations in a liver-injury model

Lactobacilllus casei CRL 431 has the ability to modulate the local and systemic immune responses, which are significantly involved in liver injury caused by hepatotoxins. This work was conducted to determine whether L. casei has a preventive effect on the hepatic damage undergone during an acute liver injury (ALI). Methods: ALI was induced by an intraperitoneal injection Of D-galactosamine (D-Gal). Different groups of mice received 1 x 10(9) L casei cells/day/mouse for 2 days before D-Gal injection. Blood and liver samples were obtained 0, 6, 12, and 24 h after D-Gal administration. Results: D-Gal induced increases in serum aminotransferases, reduced the number of blood leukocytes, enhanced neutrophil myeloperoxidase activity, increased dead cells, and altered prothrombin time and plasma fibrinogen levels. The preventive treatment with L. casei for 2 days modulated the innate immune response. This effect was shown by the earlier normalization of white blood cell counts, myeloperoxidase activity and aminotransferases levels. However, the haemostatic parameters were only partially recovered. The favourable effects obtained could be due to the capacity of L. casei to moderate the inflammatory response at the site of the injury with less damage to liver tissue.