Effect of lysed Enterococcus faecalis FK-23 (LFK) on allergen-induced peritoneal accumulation of eosinophils in mice.
BACKGROUND
The interest in anti-allergy immunoregulation by lactic acid bacteria has been growing for the last few decades. There is some evidence to suggest that lysed Enterococcus faecalis FK-23 (LFK) could relieve the clinical symptoms of pollinosis. However, the mechanism responsible for this phenomenon remains unknown.


OBJECTIVE
To identify the effect of LFK, a lysozyme treated and heat-killed preparation from the lactic acid bacteria Enterococcus faecalis FK-23 strain, on allergen-induced eosinophil accumulation.


METHODS
BALB/c mice were sensitized with ragweed pollen extract, and peritoneal accumulation of eosinophils was induced. A total of 60 mg (0.5 mL) LFK was orally administered to the experimental mouse every day during 21 days of the sensitization period. In addition, LFK 4 mg, 25 mg and 60 mg (each 0.5 mL) were also orally administered to a mouse of each group every day for 21 days. Saline was fed in a dose of 0.5 mL/mouse per day for the same duration as a control.


RESULTS
Compared with control mice, LFK-treated mice exhibited decreased ragweed pollen allergen-induced peritoneal accumulation of eosinophils (P = 0.013), which showed a tendency to be in a dose-dependent fashion (P = 0.14).


CONCLUSIONS
The results provide laboratory evidence of the role for LFK, a lactic acid bacteria preparation, in combating eosinophil accumulation.
Shimada
T
T
Central Research Laboratories, Nichinichi Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd, Mie, Japan. labo@nichinichi-phar.co.jp
Cheng
L
L
Ide
M
M
Fukuda
S
S
Enomoto
T
T
Shirakawa
T
T
D000284:Administration, Oral; D000485:Allergens / Q000276:immunology*; D031164:Ambrosia / Q000276:immunology; D000818:Animals; D018926:Anti-Allergic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002465:Cell Movement; D004306:Dose-Response Relationship, Immunologic; D013293:Enterococcus faecalis / Q000276:immunology*; D004802:Eosinophilia / Q000209:etiology / Q000276:immunology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005260:Female; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D010529:Peritoneal Cavity / Q000473:pathology; D011058:Pollen / Q000276:immunology; D015164:Vaccines, Inactivated
D000485:Allergens; D018926:Anti-Allergic Agents; D015164:Vaccines, Inactivated