Lactic acid bacteria are known to have various health-promoting effects and are highly expected to find applications in anti-allergic food materials. In this study, we focused on Lactobacillus helveticus SBT2171 (LH2171), which reportedly modifies some unique immune responses and ameliorated symptoms of patients allergic to mites and house dust in the previous studies. We examined the effect of LH2171 on cytokine production by antigen-stimulated murine naïve splenocytes in vitro and demonstrated that it inhibited IL-4 and IL-13 production while enhancing IFN-γ and IL-10 production. Then, we examined the anti-allergic effect of LH2171 in vivo using a murine model of pollen allergy and found that LH2171 reduced the sneezing frequency when orally administered to mice. We successfully confirmed the immune modulatory activity of LH2171 and its anti-allergic activity against inhaled antigens. These evidences would contribute to identifying the anti-allergic mechanism of LH2171.
Abbreviations: ALDH: aldehyde dehydrogenase; EGCG: epigallocatechin gallate; LAB: lactic acid bacteria; LH2171: Lactobacillus helveticus SBT2171; NALT: nasal-associated lymphoid tissue; OVA: ovalbumin
A 64-year-old woman with recurrent mitral valve stenosis was hospitalized 30 years after open commissurotomy. Severe right cerebral embolism occurred at age 58, with left hemiparesis. She was debilitated with cardiac cachexia. Based on symptomatic valvular disease findings, surgery was considered, but deemed too high risk due to the combined insufficiencies. She refused this surgical operation and requested conservative therapy. Optimized medication and cardiac rehabilitation improved her general condition allowing transfer to another hospital. We explained the short life expectancy both to her and to her family. They decided to transfer to a hospice at a chronic care hospital and she was given best supportive care. Eventually, her urine output decreased and respiration deteriorated. She and her family refused resuscitation in the event of cardiopulmonary arrest, requesting only suffering reduction. Thus, continuous intravenous infusion of morphine was started. The optimized doses for pain alleviation were determined in consultation with palliative care specialists and maximized her consciousness level for the last four days. "Heart-failure hospice" is potentially a place to die for end-of-life patients, attended by their families and healthcare providers. They need prognostic information and options for end-stage. Our experience confirms results about palliative care from previous studies conducted overseas demonstrating the effectiveness of opioids relieving end-stage symptoms.
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