Effect of Heat-Inactivated Kefir-Isolated Lactobacillus kefiranofaciens M1 on Preventing an Allergic Airway Response in Mice

• Published in: Journal of agricultural and food chemistry 2011-08, Vol.59 (16), p.9022-9031
• Main Authors: Hong, Wei-Sheng, Chen, Yen-Po, Dai, Ting-Yeu, Huang, I-Nung, Chen, Ming-Ju
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Allergens - immunology; Animals; asthma; Asthma - immunology; Asthma - prevention & control; Biological and medical sciences; Cultured Milk Products - microbiology; cytokines; Female; fermented milk; Food industries; Food microbiology; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Hot Temperature; immunoglobulin E; inflammation; Lactobacillus; Mice; Mice, Inbred BALB C; Molecular Nutrition; oral administration; ovalbumin; phenotype; signs and symptoms (animals and humans)
• ISSN: 0021-8561; 1520-5118
• DOI: 10.1021/jf201913x

In this study, we assessed the anti-asthmatic effects of heat-inactivated Lactobacillus kefiranofaciens M1 (HI-M1) and its fermented milk using different feeding procedures and at various dosage levels. The possible mechanisms whereby HI-M1 has anti-allergic asthmatic effects were also evaluated. Ovalbumin (OVA)-allergic asthma mice that have been orally administrated the HI-M1 samples showed strong inhibition of production of T helper cell (Th) 2 cytokines, pro-inflammatory cytokines, and Th17 cytokines in splenocytes and bronchoalveolar fluid compared to control mice. An increase in regulatory T cell population in splenocytes in the allergic asthma mice after oral administration of H1-M1 was also observed. In addition, all of the features of the asthmatic phenotype, including specific IgE production, airway inflammation, and development of airway hyperresponsiveness, were depressed in a dose-dependent manner by treatment. These findings support the possibility that oral feeding of H1-M1 may be an effective way of alleviating asthmatic symptoms in humans.