Effects of dietary yoghurt on immunological and clinical parameters of rhinopathic patients

Abstract

Objectives: To examine the immunological and clinical influence of 4 months' feeding with either yoghurt or partially skimmed milk or nothing, on 20 volunteers. Subjects: Thirteen subjects had a demonstrated allergic rhinopathy and seven were healthy subjects and participated as controls.Research design: Either a group of seven or a group of six rhinopathic patients were fed either 450 g yoghurt or 450 g partially skimmed milk, respectively, for 4 months between March and October 1999. All subjects maintained their usual diet throughout the study. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) were isolated before and after the experimental period and cultured for periods of 40 and 64 h. Proliferation index assay and release of IFNg and IL-4 without and with PHA stimulation were assessed. Allergic rhinopathy was evaluated before and after the 4 months period by performing the nasal functionality tests (Active Anterior Rhinomanometry, Acoustic Rhinometry), the prick test, the nasal specific provocation test (NPT), the dosage of specific IgE blood levels, the evaluation of the symptomatological score and the nasal mucociliary transport test. Results: No significant change of the proliferation index was noted among the three groups. Cultured PBMC of the group fed with yoghurt released more IFNg and less IL-4. Cytokine plasma levels were at and remained at basal levels. Prick test, specific serum IgEs and NPT remained immodified. Muco-ciliary transport time (MCTt) and symptomatological score showed a definitive improvement after yoghurt feeding. Conclusion: Yoghurt feeding appears to improve or prevent allergic recurrences in rhinopatic patients.

Distal Mucosal Site Stimulation by Kefir and Duration of the Immune Response

“…This concept implies that oral immune stimulation can induce immunity in distal intestinal mucosal sites. For instance, the consumption offermented milk has been related to a reduced incidence of nasal pathogens (24)(25)(26). The majority of research concerning probiotic-mediated enhanced immune protection has focused on the gastrointestinal tract, and few studies have been conducted to consider the possibility that probiotics might stimulate the common mucosal immune system sufficiently to provide increased protection to other mucosal sites as well (27).…”

Alteration of secretory IgA in human breast milk and stool samples after the intake of a probiotic — report of 2 cases

“…Thus the Th1, Th2 and Treg can secrete numerous pro-and anti-inflammatory cytokines, which polarize the local and systemic immune response in different directions [1,[12][13][14]. The oral intake of some Bifidobacteria and Lactobacilli have been proven to modify the inflammatory response because of their PAMPs [15,16] by stimulating the synthesis of the anti-inflammatory IL-10 and TGFβ [17,18].…”

Probiotics Applications in Autoimmune Diseases

“…Effects on the Th1/Th2 balance have been observed in some animal models of allergy [184]; however not all strains stimulated Th1 immunity [185,186]. Nonetheless, stimulation of Th1 immunity has been reported in clinical trials [187][188][189][190][191] and clinical efficacy has been demonstrated in adults, children and infants for diseases including IBS and IBD [192,193], see Figure 4. …”