An object is to provide an interleukin production regulator which can be
used for prevention, treatment or recurrence prevention of a
gastrointestinal disease or an autoimmune disease accompanied by an
inflammation as the main symptom, which is highly safe, and which can be
administered over a long period. Another object is to provide a method
for production of the interleukin production regulator. Further object is
to provide a pharmaceutical composition and a food, each of which
comprises the interleukin production regulator.
Disclosed are: a method for producing an interleukin production regulator
having both an effect of maintaining or promoting the production of
interleukin-10 and an effect of maintaining or inhibiting the production
of interleukin-12, comprising the step of disrupting a cell of a
microorganism belonging to the genus Bifidobacterium; an interleukin
production regulator produced by the method; and a pharmaceutical and a
food, each comprising the interleukin production regulator.