Innate immune response in aged mice given fermented foods

2016 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 26463195
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Research Field: Social dentistry
• Research Institution: Nihon University
• Principal Investigator: TAGUCHI Chieko 日本大学, 松戸歯学部, 助手(専任扱) (80434091)
• Project Period (FY): 2014-04-01 – 2017-03-31
• Keywords: 老齢マウス / 発酵食品 / 自然免疫機構

Outline of Final Research Achievements

The objective of this study was to detect any immunological responses that may be enhanced in aged or young mice by consuming fermented dietary products such as natto. When mice were administered natto, low levels of IgA and IgG were seen in both young and aged mice. However, inductions of murine β-defensin specific mRNA were detected in the gum of both young and aged mice fed natto. In addition, the intestinal flora showed an increase of Clostridium subcluster XIVa, and the presence of butyrate as a metabolic product was confirmed.
These results suggest that eating natto activates oral immunological responses and contributes to a healthy increase in beneficial gut flora.

Free Research Field

衛生学公衆衛生学　予防歯科学