Abstract
Background: Probiotics may be effective in the treatment and prevention of allergic disease. Treatment with Saccharomyces cerevisiae protected mice against intestinal infections, prevented bacterial translocation and increased IL-10 production. There is no study of Saccharomyces cerevisiae in the prevention or treatment of asthma.
Objective: We investigated the effects of S. cerevisiae UFMG 905 on the response to antigen challenge in a mouse model.
Methods: Balb/c mice were sensitized twice with ovalbumin (OVA) i.p. and challenged with OVA intranasally for three days. Mice were treated with S. cerevisiae UFMG 905 via gavaging needle before OVA sensitization and during challenge. Control mice received saline on the same days. After challenge, mice were ventilated with a small animal ventilator (FlexiVent) and in vivo measurements of bronchial hyperresponsiveness were realized. Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) was collected to quantify total and differential cell counts and cytokine levels.
Results: Oral treatment with S. cerevisiae UFMG 905 significantly decreased airway hyperresponsiveness, measured by total resistance, central airway resistance and tissue resistance. S. cerevisiae UFMG 905 significantly attenuated total cell number and the influx of eosinophils to the airway lumen. Furthermore, levels of IL-4 in BALF were significantly diminished by S. cerevisiae UFMG 905.
Conclusion: Oral administration of Saccharomyces cerevisiae UFMG 905 attenuated major asthma-like characteristics in a mouse model. These results showed that oral treatment with this probiotic may have therapeutic potential in allergic airway disease.
Supported by: FAPESP and CNPq, Brazil.
- © 2013 ERS