Brief Articles
Copyright ©2009 The WJG Press and Baishideng. All rights reserved.
World J Gastroenterol. Jul 14, 2009; 15(26): 3261-3268
Published online Jul 14, 2009. doi: 10.3748/wjg.15.3261
Specific probiotics alleviate allergic rhinitis during the birch pollen season
Arthur C Ouwehand, Merja Nermes, Maria Carmen Collado, Nina Rautonen, Seppo Salminen, Erika Isolauri
Arthur C Ouwehand, Nina Rautonen, Health & Nutrition, Danisco Finland, 02460 Kantvik, Finland
Merja Nermes, Erika Isolauri, Department of Pediatrics, Turku University Hospital, 20520 Turku, Finland
Maria Carmen Collado, Seppo Salminen, Functional Foods Forum, Turku University, 20014 Turku, Finland
Author contributions: Ouwehand AC, Rautonen N, Isolauri E and Salminen S designed the study; Nermes M and Isolauri E were responsible for recruiting the patients and performing the clinical part of the study; Collado MC, Salminen S, Ouwehand AC and Rautonen N were responsible for the laboratory analyses; All authors contributed to writing of the manuscript.
Correspondence to: Arthur C Ouwehand, PhD, Health & Nutrition, Danisco Finland, Sokeritehtaantie 20, 02460 Kantvik, Finland. arthur.ouwehand@danisco.com
Telephone: +358-40-5956353
Fax: +358-9-2982203
Received: March 11, 2009
Revised: June 5, 2009
Accepted: June 12, 2009
Published online: July 14, 2009
Abstract

AIM: To investigate whether birch pollen allergy symptoms are linked with gut microbiota changes and whether probiotics have an effect on these.

METHODS: Forty seven children with confirmed birch pollen allergy were randomized to receive either a probiotic combination of Lactobacillus acidophilus (L. acidophilus) NCFMTM (ATCC 700396) and Bifidobacterium lactis (B. lactis) Bl-04 (ATCC SD5219) or placebo in a double-blind manner for 4 mo, starting prior to onset of the birch pollen season. Symptoms were recorded in a diary. Blood samples were taken for analysis of cytokines and eosinophils. Fecal samples were analysed for microbiota components, calprotectin and IgA. Nasal swabs were taken for analysis of eosinophils.

RESULTS: The pollen season induced a reduction in Bifidobacterium, Clostridium and Bacteroides which could not be prevented by the probiotic intervention. During the intervention, significantly higher numbers of B. lactis 11.2 × 107± 4.2 × 107vs 0.1 × 107± 0.1 × 107 bacteria/g feces (P < 0.0001) and L. acidophilus NCFMTM 3.5 × 106± 1.3 × 106vs 0.2 × 106± 0.1 × 106 bacteria/g feces (P < 0.0001) were observed in the probiotic group compared to the placebo group. During May, there was a tendency for fewer subjects, (76.2% vs 95.2%, P = 0.078) to report runny nose, while during June, fewer subjects, 11.1% vs 33.3%, reported nasal blocking in the probiotics group (P = 0.101). Concomitantly, fewer subjects in the probiotic group had infiltration of eosinophils in the nasal mucosa compared to the placebo group, 57.1% vs 95% (P = 0.013). Eye symptoms tended to be slightly more frequent in the probiotic group, 12.5 d [interquartile range (IQR) 6-18] vs 7.5 d (IQR 0-11.5) (P = 0.066) during May. Fecal IgA was increased in the placebo group during the pollen season; this increase was prevented by the probiotics (P = 0.028).

CONCLUSION: Birch pollen allergy was shown to be associated with changes in fecal microbiota composition. The specific combination of probiotics used was shown to prevent the pollen-induced infiltration of eosinophils into the nasal mucosa, and indicated a trend for reduced nasal symptoms.

Keywords: Probiotics; Pollen allergy; Intestines; Microbiology; Immunity; Eosinophilia; Lactobacillus acidophilus; Bifidobacterium lactis