Oral Treatment with Probiotics Reduces Allergic Symptoms in Ovalbumin-Sensitized Mice: A Bacterial Strain Comparative Study

Abstract

Background/Aim: Evidence demonstrating an important role of the intestinal microbiota in the incidence of allergic disorders has led to the concept of using probiotics as possible antiallergic therapy. This study aimed to select a bacterial strain with the best antiallergic treatment effects from a panel of 6 bacterial strains in a mouse model of ovalbumin(OVA)-allergic asthma. Methods: OVA-sensitized BALB/c mice were orally administered the bacterial strains Bifidobacterium breve M-16V, B. infantis NumRes251, B. animalis NumRes252 and NumRes253, Lactobacillus plantarum NumRes8 and L. rhamnosus NumRes6. After challenge by OVA inhalation in the lungs, the response to methacholine was measured. Pulmonary inflammation was assessed by analyzing bronchoalveolar lavage fluid for the presence of eosinophils, neutrophils, macrophages and lymphocytes and for interleukin 4, interleukin 5, interleukin 10 and interferon-γ. OVA-specific IgE, IgG1 and IgG2a were measured in serum. Next, the effect on acute allergic skin reaction was measured after treatment with B. breve M-16V and L. plantarum NumRes8. Results: Of the panel of 6 strains, B. breve M-16V and L. plantarum NumRes8 inhibited (1) the response to methacholine, (2) reduced the number of eosinophils in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, (3) reduced both OVA-specific IgE and (4) OVA-specific IgG1, whereas the other strains did not affect all these parameters simultaneously. B. breve M-16V but not L. plantarum NumRes8 reduced interleukin 4, interleukin 5 and interleukin 10. Furthermore, B. breve M-16V but not L. plantarum NumRes8 reduced acute allergic skin reactions to OVA. Conclusion: B. breve M-16V was identified as the most potent antiallergic strain.

Probiotic Administration in Early Life, Atopy, and Asthma: A Meta-analysis of Clinical Trials

“…Animal studies suggest that the effects of probiotics on allergeninduced airway responses may be sensitive to the organism used: L reuteri, but not Lactobacillus salivarius, has been shown to inhibit allergic airway responses in sensitized mice, 51 and a recent study by Hougee et al 54 demonstrated Bacillus brevis has strain-dependent immunomodulatory effects. The duration and timing of feeding are also determinants of antiinflammatory efficacy; Forsythe et al 51 found that a period of feeding of at least 9 days was required for significant inhibition of airway eosinophilia and airway hyperreactivity in mice.…”

Effects of Bifidobacterium breve on inflammatory gene expression in neonatal and weaning rat intestine

“…Oral administration of B. breve to mice with IgE-mediated hypersensitivity to cow milk or ovalbumin promotes a significant improvement in allergic symptoms (9,10). Although B. breve influences bacterial colonization in the intestine and enhances TGF-β1 signaling by regulating Smad7 expression in preterm infants (11,12), the precise mechanisms of these interactions have not been well established.…”

“…Gene expression in the rat colon, small intestine, and spleen was examined by microarray and real-time PCR after feeding 5 × 10 8 colony-forming units/animal B. breve to rat pups during the newborn (days [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14] or weaning (days 21-34) period.…”

Dietary or Supplementary Intake Modulates Inflammatory Response in Asthma Response in Asthma

“…Oral treatment with probiotics reduces allergic symptoms in ovalbumin-sensitized mice [62]. Perinatal Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG (LGG) supplementation has beneficial effects on the development of allergic asthma in offspring [63].…”