Oral delivery of Lactobacillus casei Shirota modifies allergen-induced immune responses in allergic rhinitis

• Published in: Clinical and experimental allergy 2008-08, Vol.38 (8), p.1282-1289
• Main Authors: Ivory, K., Chambers, S. J., Pin, C., Prieto, E., Arqués, J. L., Nicoletti, C.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Administration, Oral; Adolescent; Adult; Allergens - immunology; allergic rhinitis; Biological and medical sciences; cytokines; Cytokines - biosynthesis; Double-Blind Method; Female; Flow Cytometry; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Fundamental immunology; Humans; IgE; IgG; Immunoglobulin E - blood; Immunoglobulin G - blood; immunomodulation; Lactobacillus casei; Lactobacillus casei - immunology; Male; Medical sciences; Middle Aged; Non tumoral diseases; Otorhinolaryngology. Stomatology; Pollen - immunology; probiotics; Probiotics - administration & dosage; Rhinitis, Allergic, Seasonal - immunology; Rhinitis, Allergic, Seasonal - therapy; Sarcoidosis. Granulomatous diseases of unproved etiology. Connective tissue diseases. Elastic tissue diseases. Vasculitis; Upper respiratory tract, upper alimentary tract, paranasal sinuses, salivary glands: diseases, semeiology
• ISSN: 0954-7894; 1365-2222
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2222.2008.03025.x

Summary Background Changes in the composition of the gut microbiota have been implicated in the pathogenesis of allergic disorders, suggesting beneficial interactions between the intestinal immune system and specific bacterial strains. Lactobacilli are naturally present within the complex gastrointestinal microbiota of humans and they are currently present in many probiotic supplements. Objective We sought to investigate the role that Lactobacillus casei Shirota (LcS) may play in modulating seasonal allergic rhinitis (SAR). Methods The study format was double‐blinded, placebo‐controlled with 10 SAR sufferers in each group. We have documented and compared changes in immune status arising through the daily ingestion of a milk drink with or without live LcS, over a period of 5 months. Pre‐, peak‐ and post‐grass pollen season blood samples were collected for determination of plasma total IgE and grass pollen‐specific IgG and IgE levels by an enzyme immunoassay. At the same time, cytokine levels were determined by flow cytometric bead array technology following culture of peripheral blood mononuclear cells for 6 days in the presence or absence of specific grass pollen antigens. Results Volunteers treated with LcS showed a significant reduction in levels of antigen‐induced IL‐5, IL‐6 and IFN‐γ production compared with volunteers supplemented with placebo. Meanwhile, levels of specific IgG increased and IgE decreased in the probiotic group. Conclusion Changes in antigen‐induced production of cytokines were observed in patients treated with probiotics. These data show that probiotic supplementation modulates immune responses in allergic rhinitis and may have the potential to alleviate the severity of symptoms.