01.14.13
A new study published in the European Journal of Clinical Nutrition examined the beneficial effects on probiotics in people who suffer from allergic disorders. In the double-blinded, parallel, randomized placebo-controlled trial, scientists evaluated the effect of orally administering the probiotic Nestlé culture collection (NCC)2818 Bifidobacterium lactis strain on immune parameters and nasal symptom scores in subjects suffering from seasonal allergic rhinitis. After reviewing blood samples from participants after 8 weeks, researchers found that concentrations of Th-2 cytokines, secreted by stimulated blood lymphocytes, were significantly lower in the probiotic group compared with the placebo group at V3 (interleukin (IL)-5, P=0.016; IL-13, P=0.005). In patient questionnaires, it was found that total nasal symptom scores were significantly lower in the second month of the study (weeks 5–8) in the probiotic group compared with the placebo group (P=0.03). Also, percentages of activated CD63 expressing basophils were significantly lower in the probiotic group at V2 (P=0.02). As a result, the study concluded that orally administered probiotic NCC2818 mitigates immune parameters and allergic symptoms during seasonal exposure. For further information: http://www.nature.com/ejcn/journal/vaop/ncurrent/abs/ejcn2012197a.html
