Probiotics May Attenuate Asthma Response

HAMILTON, OntarioOral treatment with live probiotics may help alleviate allergic asthmatic response, according to a new study (Am J Respir Crit Care Med, 2007; DOI:10.1164/rccm200606-821OC). Researchers from McMaster University and St. Josephs Healthcare investigated the effect of two probiotics (Lactobacillus reuteri and L. salivarius) on the response to antigen challenge in a mouse model of allergic airway inflammation. Animals were treated with probiotics prior to antigen challenge; after the challenge, airway responsiveness to methacholine, influx of inflammatory cells to the lung, and cytokine levels in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid was assessed.

Oral treatment with live L. reuteri, but not L. salivarius, attenuated the influx of eosinophils to the airway lumen and parenchyma and reduced the levels of TNF, MCP-1, IL-5 and IL-13 in lung fluid. L. reuteri also decreased allergen-induced airway hyperresponsiveness. Killed organisms did not have the same effect.