Effects of Orally Administered Yogurt and Kefir on Tumor Growth in Mice

Abstract

The antitumor activity of yogurt and kefir was examined in BDF1 mice, weighing 17 to 19 g, which received a subcutaneaus inoculation of 7.2×10⁵ cells of-Lewis lung carcinoma (3L-L) into the right axilla. The mice were fed by gastric intubation every day with a pasteurized solution of yogurt and kefir (freeze-dried base 2g/kg body weight) from day 1 to day 9 after tumor cell inoculation. The growth of 3 LL was inhibited by 62% and 46%, respectively, by oral administration of kefir and polysaccharide Kureha (PSK) as compared with non-treated mice. The weight of the spleen and the number of leucocytes in tumor-bearing mice on day 14 were increased 4-fold and 5-fold, respectively, as compared with normal mice. The increase was prevented by administration of kefir and PSK.