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Probiotics ( Lactobacillus gasseri KS‐13, Bifidobacterium bifidum G9‐1, and Bifidobacterium longum MM‐2) and Health‐Related Quality of Life in Individuals with Seasonal Allergies
Author(s) -
Dennis Jennifer C.,
Culpepper Tyler,
Nieves Carmelo,
Ukhanova Maria,
Mai Volker,
Christman Mary C.,
LangkampHenken Bobbi
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.30.1_supplement.916.17
Subject(s) - bifidobacterium longum , probiotic , medicine , bifidobacterium bifidum , allergy , placebo , bifidobacterium animalis , bifidobacterium , immunology , gastroenterology , lactobacillus , biology , food science , bacteria , fermentation , pathology , genetics , alternative medicine
Background Quality of life (QOL) is often reduced during seasonal allergies due to troubles from nose and eye symptoms. Probiotics modulate immune function and may improve QOL for some individuals during allergy season. Induction of tolerance by regulatory T cells (Tregs) may be involved in this process Methods In this double‐blind, placebo‐controlled, randomized clinical trial, 173 participants (26.0±1.2 y [mean±SEM] and 62.8% females, probiotic group; 27.6±1.4 y and 74.7% females, placebo group) who self‐identified as having seasonal allergies received either a probiotic (2 capsules/day, 1.5 billion cells/capsule) or placebo capsule during spring allergy season for 6 weeks. QOL was assessed throughout the study using the Mini Rhinoconjunctivitis Quality of Life Questionnaire (MRQLQ), which reports the average score for 14 symptoms rated from 0 (not troubled) to six (extremely troubled). Intestinal microbial profiles were determined via 16S rRNA sequencing from stool samples collected at baseline and at final (week 6). Fasting blood samples were taken from a subgroup (n=72) at baseline and final to determine immune parameters; serum total IgE and Tregs were quantified via ELISA and flow cytometry, respectively. Results Total IgE increased from baseline to final regardless of group (data were log transformed for analysis; untransformed: 547±62.5 vs. 595±66.6 ng/mL, p =0.033), indicating a sustained response to allergens. Both groups reported decreases in MRQLQ scores from baseline to final, indicating a possible placebo effect or induction of tolerance; however, the negative change in global MRQLQ scores from baseline to final was significantly larger in magnitude in the probiotic group (−0.66±0.13 vs. −0.23±0.16, p =0.039), indicating higher QOL. Several domain scores from the MRQLQ also differed significantly between groups (−0.55±0.15 vs. −0.05±0.16, p =0.017 for activities; −0.71±0.18 vs. −0.09±0.19, p =0.016 for nose symptoms; −0.90±0.18 vs. −0.37±0.18, p =0.008 for other symptoms). Alpha and beta diversity indices to measure representative intestinal bacterial phyla did not differ between groups. The percentage of Tregs increased from baseline to final in all participants, but changes were not different between groups. Conclusions This combination of probiotics resulted in a higher self‐reported QOL during allergy season for healthy individuals who experience seasonal allergies. However, further research is needed to elucidate the mechanism by which probiotics influence allergy‐related QOL and to establish the clinical relevance for the change in the MRQLQ scores. Support or Funding Information Wakunaga of America Co., Ltd.