Treatment of perennial allergic rhinitis with lactic acid bacteria

Abstract

Probiotics are perceived to exert beneficial effects in the prevention and treatment of allergic diseases via modifying the gut ecosystem. The aim of this study was to assess whether ingestion of fermented milk containing Lactobacillus paracasei-33 (LP-33), a strain newly isolated from the human intestinal tract, can improve the quality of life of patients with perennial allergic rhinitis. In a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, we gave patients fermented milk with (n = 60) or without (n = 20) the addition of LP-33 (2 x 10(9) colony-forming units per bottle) for 30 days. A modified questionnaire concerning pediatric rhinoconjunctivitis quality of life was administered to all subjects or their parents at each clinical visit. Scores for the overall quality of life significantly decreased in the LP-33 group as compared with the placebo group, in both frequency (-16.02 +/- 2.14 vs. -7.27 +/- 3.55, respectively; p = 0.037) and level of bother (-16.35 +/- 2.33 vs. -6.20 +/- 3.13, respectively; p = 0.022) after the 30-day treatment. Subjects reported no severe adverse effects such as fever, abdominal pain, or diarrhea. The results suggest that ingestion of LP-33-fortified fermented milk for 30 days can effectively and safely improve the quality of life of patients with allergic rhinitis, and may serve as an alternative treatment for allergic rhinitis.

Potential of Selected Strains of Lactic Acid Bacteria to Induce a Th1 Immune Profile

“…9) Moreover, it has been proposed that DCs localized in the gut-associated lymphoid tissue can sample bacteria directly from the intestinal lumen and modify the immune homeostasis. 10) Clinical studies conducted in humans have indicated that LAB can alleviate the symptoms of atopy [11][12][13][14] and perennial allergic rhinitis [15][16][17] and enhance the anti-carcinogenic activity of the immune system. [18][19][20][21] Since the bacterial properties required for the different applications are clearly distinct, selection of the LAB strain is very important for a more rational use of these organisms.…”

Effects of Lactobacillus acidophilus Strain L-55 on Experimental Allergic Rhinitis in BALB/c Mice

“…Moreover, the immunomodulating effects of lactic acid bacteria have also been reported 2,3) and some specific strains of lactic acid bacteria are recognized to alleviate allergic diseases such as allergic rhinitis. [4][5][6] Although the etiology of allergic disease is still unclear, disturbance of the intestinal microflora, especially endogenous lactic acid bacteria, has been regarded as one of the important reasons related to allergic diseases. [7][8][9] Accordingly, improvement of the intestinal environment by the intake of probiotic lactic acid bacteria is considered effective for modulation of the immune system.…”

Microbiota and Allergy: From Dysbiosis to Probiotics

“…rhinitis and asthma, and altogether included about 890 subjects. Lactobacillus paracasei-33, whether or not heat-inactivated, improved quality of life of patients with allergic rhinitis: both frequency and intensity of symptoms were significantly lower in the LP-33 group than the placebo group, after the 30-day treatment (Wang et al, 2004;Peng & Hsu, 2005). Likewise, Lactobacillus casei DN114 001 decreased the occurrence of rhinitis episodes and improved the health status of children with allergic rhinitis (Giovannini et al, 2007).…”