STUDY ON IMMUNOMODULATORY EFFECTS OF PROBIOTICS IN ASTHMA
Abstract:
Background and purpose: Asthma is based on adjusting the balance of Th1/Th2 in the direction
of augmented production of Th2 cytokines. The interest in the therapeutic potential of probiotics in the
case of allergic diseases is revealed from the fact that they enhance the intestinal permeability and reduce
the level of inflammatory cytokines. According to the latest research, altered production of Th2 cytokines,
by the induction of Th1 responses can occur both in prophylaxis and also in the treatment of allergic
diseases. Materials and methods: Patients included in the study were given a combination of probiotics,
daily for four weeks. Biological evaluation of patients who received immunomodulator treatment with
probiotics included the determination of blood eosinophilia, by determining the peripheral blood picture
and the total immunoglobulin E. In order to evaluate the allergic inflammation, plasma levels of
interleukin-4 (IL-4) and Interferon gamma (IFNγ) were determined in serum. Laboratory measurements
were made at the inclusion in the study and were repeated after four weeks of treatment. Results: Despite
short-term consumption, probiotics was able to reduce the IL-4 levels in association with an increased
production of IFNγ. Correlation between decreased peripheral eosinophil and that of total IgE was direct,
statistically significant; correlation between the value changes of IFNγ and IL-4 was indirect.
Conclusions: Our results confirm that probiotics might have a beneficial effect against allergic diseases by
modulating the TH1/TH2 response. Clinical trial assessment is required to elucidate whether this
modulation might be useful in the prevention and treatment of allergic diseases.
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