Pinto-Sanchez MI, et al. - Physicians aspired to examine the potential mechanisms of a probiotic Bifidobacterium infantis Natren Life Start super strain (NLS-SS) on the mucosal expression of innate immune markers in adult patients with active untreated celiac disease (CD) compared with those treated with B. infantis×6 weeks and after 1 year of gluten-free diet (GFD). Compared with 1 year of GFD, the outcomes identified differential innate immune effects of treatment with B. infantis. To examine synergistic effects of GFD and B. infantis supplementation in CD, further studies were needed.

• The physicians evaluated numbers of macrophages and Paneth cells and α-defensin-5 expression by immunohistochemistry in duodenal biopsies.

• In this study, the physicians demonstrated that compared to B. infantis, GFD decreased duodenal macrophage counts in CD patients more effectively.
• On the other hand, B. infantis decreased Paneth cell counts and expression of α-defensin-5 in CD (P<0.001).