Abstract
The role of Lactobacillus acidophilus LA 15 in reducing the proliferation of Ehrlich ascites tumor (EAT) was studied in Swiss male mice, over a period of 8 days. EAT cells were implanted intraperitoneally into mice on day 1 and the mice were subsequently treated intraperitoneally with whole cells of L. acidophilus. The mice were sacrificed on the eighth day to determine the effect of L. acidophilus on the proliferation of EAT cell growth. Control mice were injected with an equal volume of phosphate-buffered saline. There was a significant reduction in the proliferation of EAT cell due to L. acidophilus treatment. Three strains of L. acidophilus were efficacious in reducing the proliferation of EAT cell growth but the differences among L. acidophilus strains were not significant. Cell wall solids, but not non-cell wall solids reduced proliferation of EAT cells. Although L. acidophilus whole cells reduced proliferation of EAT cells, they were not as efficacious in decreasing proliferation of EAT cells in hydrocortisone pretreated mice, suggesting an immune mechanism