總結來說,益生菌能夠發揮調整微生物生態和調控免疫系統的功能,增強抵抗力,其作用機制在於除了保持腸道細胞間的緊密連接完整,造成保護屏障外,益生菌也能夠啟動免疫細胞製造干擾素(interferons)和一系列細胞因數(cytokines)和白細胞界素(interleukins),並刺激特定CD4和CD8白細胞、巨噬細胞(macrophages)、自然殺手細胞(natural killer cells)、B淋巴細胞等免疫系統成員打擊病毒。
參考文獻:Olaimat AN et al. The potential application of probiotics and prebiotics for the prevention and treatment of COVID-19. NPJ Sci Food. 2020 Oct 5;4:17.Chong HX et al. Lactobacillus plantarum improved upper respiratory tract infections via enhancing immune and inflammatory parameters: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. J Dairy Sci. 2019 Jun;102(6):4783-4797.