July 21, 2011 – Some Probiotics May Be Effective Against Seasonal Allergies Associated With Plant Pollen, Study Finds1 Dutch.
The study was carried out in 62 patients who had been subject for at least 2 years to seasonal allergic rhinitis associated with birch pollen.
Probiotics that contain bacteria Lactobacillus would have a clinically measurable effect on the antibodies responsible for allergic reactions specific to birch pollen.
The results indicate that for four of the five strains of probiotics tested, immunoglobulin E (IgE) levels had decreased after 4 weeks of treatment. Note that IgE are responsible for allergic crises which result in a significant release of histamine. In addition, one of the strains also caused a decrease in interleukin levels specific to the allergic reaction to birch pollen.
The trial was held outside of the rhinitis season in order to avoid the distorting factors associated with the treatments that must be given to these patients during allergic attacks. The patients were divided into five groups who took, for 4 weeks, a yogurt inoculated with one of the five strains of Lactobacillus tested, or an inactive yogurt that did not contain any live bacteria (placebo). Blood samples were taken at the start and end of the test to detect specific antibody levels associated with this type of allergic rhinitis.
This is possible since the body of people prone to this type of allergy still contains, up to 8 months after an attack, about 60% of the helper T lymphocytes responsible for the allergic reaction.
These results indicate that we could be able to identify the most effective strains of probiotics and determine dosages that could constitute a curative, and not only palliative, treatment of seasonal allergies.
The incidence of allergic diseases has increased significantly over the past 25 years in industrialized countries. Several researchers associate this increase in allergic reactions with changes in the intestinal flora: it has in fact been noticed that the intestines of affected people contain few lactobacilli, compared to what is observed in the digestive system of the general population.
Pierre Lefrançois – PasseportSanté.net
1. Snel J, Vissers YM, Smit BA, et al. Strain-specific immunomodulatory effects of Lactobacillus plantarum strains on birch-pollen-allergic subjects out of season. Clin Exp Allergy. 2011 Feb; 41 (2): 232-42.
