title: Probiotics (Lactobacillus gasseriKS-13,Bifidobacterium bifidumG9-1, andBifidobacterium longumMM-2) improve rhinoconjunctivitis-specific quality of life in individuals with seasonal allergies: a double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized trial.
abstract: Background:Rhinoconjunctivitis-specific quality of life is often reduced during seasonal allergies. The Mini Rhinoconjunctivitis Quality of Life Questionnaire (MRQLQ) is a validated tool used to measure quality of life in people experiencing allergies (0 = not troubled to 6 = extremely troubled). Probiotics may improve quality of life during allergy season by increasing the percentage of regulatory T cells (Tregs) and inducing tolerance.Objective:The objective of this study was to determine whether consumingLactobacillus gasseriKS-13,Bifidobacterium bifidumG9-1, andB. longumMM-2 compared with placebo would result in beneficial effects on MRQLQ scores throughout allergy season in individuals who typically experience seasonal allergies. Secondary outcomes included changes in immune markers as part of a potential mechanism for changes in MRQLQ scores.Design:In this double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel, randomized clinical trial, 173 participants (mean ± SEM: age 27 ± 1 y) who self-identified as having seasonal allergies received either a probiotic (2 capsules/d, 1.5 billion colony-forming units/capsule) or placebo during spring allergy season for 8 wk. MRQLQ scores were collected weekly throughout the study. Fasting blood samples were taken from a subgroup (placebo,n= 37; probiotic,n= 35) at baseline and week 6 (predicted peak of pollen) to determine serum immunoglobulin (Ig) E concentrations and Treg percentages.Results:The probiotic group reported an improvement in the MRQLQ global score from baseline to pollen peak (-0.68 ± 0.13) when compared with the placebo group (-0.19 ± 0.14;P= 0.0092). Both serum total IgE and the percentage of Tregs increased from baseline to week 6, but changes were not different between groups.Conclusions:This combination probiotic improved rhinoconjunctivitis-specific quality of life during allergy season for healthy individuals with self-reported seasonal allergies; however, the associated mechanism is still unclear. This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT02349711.
authors.affiliation: Food Science and Human Nutrition Department and.
authors.forename: Jennifer C
authors.identifier: 0000-0002-1977-2911
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Dennis-Wall
authors.affiliation: Food Science and Human Nutrition Department and.
authors.forename: Tyler
authors.identifier: 0000-0002-8298-9259
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Culpepper
authors.affiliation: Food Science and Human Nutrition Department and.
authors.forename: Carmelo
authors.identifier: 0000-0002-4655-8339
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Nieves
authors.affiliation: Food Science and Human Nutrition Department and.
authors.forename: Cassie C
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Rowe
authors.affiliation: Food Science and Human Nutrition Department and.
authors.forename: Alyssa M
authors.identifier: 0000-0002-6616-7239
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Burns
authors.affiliation: Food Science and Human Nutrition Department and.
authors.forename: Carley T
authors.identifier: 0000-0002-6185-9535
authors.initials: CT
authors.lastname: Rusch
authors.affiliation: Food Science and Human Nutrition Department and.
authors.forename: Ashton
authors.identifier: 0000-0003-2942-4109
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Federico
authors.affiliation: Emerging Pathogens Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL; and.
authors.forename: Maria
authors.identifier: 0000-0003-1223-9273
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ukhanova
authors.affiliation: Emerging Pathogens Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL; and.
authors.forename: Sheldon
authors.identifier: 0000-0003-3864-7726
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Waugh
authors.affiliation: Emerging Pathogens Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL; and.
authors.forename: Volker
authors.identifier: 0000-0002-6997-9750
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Mai
authors.affiliation: MCC Statistical Consulting LLC, Gainesville, FL.
authors.forename: Mary C
authors.identifier: 0000-0002-6608-7693
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Christman
authors.affiliation: Food Science and Human Nutrition Department and henken@ufl.edu.
authors.forename: Bobbi
authors.identifier: 0000-0002-8429-0011
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Langkamp-Henken
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000328:Adult; D000069985:Bifidobacterium bifidum; D000069978:Bifidobacterium longum; D003233:Conjunctivitis, Allergic / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005123:Eye / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000097:blood; D000069998:Lactobacillus gasseri; D008297:Male; D009666:Nose / Q000473:pathology; D019936:Probiotics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011788:Quality of Life; D006255:Rhinitis, Allergic, Seasonal / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy; D050378:T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D007073:Immunoglobulin E
keywords: Bifidobacterium bifidum; Bifidobacterium longum; Lactobacillus gasseri; allergic rhinitis; healthy adults; probiotics; quality of life; seasonal allergies