Immunomodulatory activities of Lactobacillus rhamnosus ZDY114 and donkey milk in BALB/c mice

The immunomodulatory activity of Lactobacillus rhamnosus ZDY114 and donkey milk in BALB/c mice was evaluated by assessing the splenic lymphocyte transformation, haemolytic complement activity, carbon clearance ability and natural killer cell activity. Results showed donkey milk (5 g kg⁻¹) in combination with L. rhamnosus ZDY114 (5 × 10⁷ cfu mL⁻¹) exhibited a significant increase in splenic lymphocyte proliferation, carbon granule engulfing ability and natural killer cell activity when compared with donkey milk or L. rhamnosus ZDY114 alone (p < 0.05). An elevated response in serum haemolytic activity was only observed when compared with L. rhamnosus ZDY114. In conclusion, donkey milk (5 g kg⁻¹) in combination with L. rhamnosus ZDY114 (5 × 10⁷ cfu mL⁻¹) was able to enhance specific immune functions.