Efficacy of probiotic supplementary therapy for asthma, allergic rhinitis, and wheeze: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Background: Probiotic supplementary therapy to prevent allergic diseases, including asthma in children, has been widely explored in many randomized controlled trials. However, there is conflicting evidence on the effect of probiotic supplementation during pregnancy and infancy to the incidence of asthma and allergic rhinitis. Method: This study was designed to systematically explore the potential effects of probiotic supplementation on the occurrence and development of asthma, wheeze, and allergic rhinitis. Randomized controlled trials were searched in several medical literature data bases. A meta-analysis was undertaken by using the fixed-effects model or the random effects model to calculate the pooled risk of significant heterogeneity. Two writers were designated to perform the study selection and data extraction. The primary outcome was clinically diagnosed asthma; the secondary outcomes included wheeze, allergic rhinitis, and a positive aeroallergen skin-prick test result. Results: Seventeen randomized controlled trials, which composed a total of 5264 children, were analyzed. The pooled data for risk of developing asthma after probiotic supplementation showed no significant reduction compared with controls (risk ratio [RR] 0.86 [95% confidence interval {CI}, 0.73-1.01]; I² = 0%; p = 0.06). A subgroup of strains indicated that Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG supplementation only had a reduction to the occurrence of asthma (RR 0.75 [95% CI, 0.57-0.99]; I² = 11%; p = 0.04). The supplement in the postnatal group had a similar result, but the incorporated data were limited. Meanwhile, it is failed to identify that probiotic supplementary therapy have a clear benefit to the secondary outcomes: wheeze, allergic rhinitis, positive aeroallergen skin-prick test result. Conclusion: This study showed a significant benefit that supplementation with probiotics in pre- and postnatal periods was likely to play an essential strategic role in the prevention of asthma. However, these effects were based on the type of probiotics used, which also need more large-sample and high-quality RCTs to confirm the reliability of this study.

Biological and epidemiological evidence of anti-allergic effects of traditional Japanese food ume (Prunus mume).

Japanese apricot (Prunus mume; ume) is a traditional food in Japan that has been shown to have various beneficial health effects. There is some evidence to suggest that ume is also effective against allergic disease. Here, we conducted a cross-sectional epidemiological pilot study to examine the association between ume intake frequency and allergic symptoms including rhinitis in 563 adults (288 men and 275 women) who resided in Wakayama, Japan. After adjusting for age, present illness and medication, women with high ume intake had significantly lower odds ratio (OR) for the presence of symptoms of allergy [OR: 0.49 with 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.25-0.97]. Therefore, we investigated the anti-allergic effect of ume on passive cutaneous anaphylaxis (PCA) reaction in immunoglobulin E (IgE)-sensitized mice. The animal study demonstrated that oral administration of ume extract attenuated the PCA reaction and mast cell degranulation. Furthermore, RBL-2H3 mast cells were used to identify anti-allergic ume compounds. The following ume compounds inhibited IgE-mediated mast cell degranulation: vanillin, syringic acid, protocatechuic aldehyde, lyoniresinol and p-coumaric acid. These results suggested that ume has the potential to inhibit mast cell degranulation and may be associated with reduced risk of allergic symptoms in women.

[The therapeutic effect of probiotics on allergic rhinitis：a Meta analysis].

Objective:To systemically review the therapeutic effect of probitics on allergic rhinitis（AR).Method:Literatures about the effect of probitics on AR were searched in PubMed. The Cochrane Library, Web of Science and CNKI, WanFang Data and VIP inception to April 2016,and 2 reviewers independently screened literatures according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria, extracted data, and assessed the risk of bias of included studies. Then meta-analysis was performed using RevMan5.2 software. Result:A total of 16RCTs involving1374 patients were included in the meta-analysis, including 809 cases in the probitic group and 568 cases in the placebo group. The results of meta-analysis showed that the efficacy of probitic group was superior to the placebo group in total RQLQ,nasal RQLQ,eye RQLQ and the serum eosinophil count,the difference was statistically significant ［MD=-4.43,95%CI（-8.65~-0.20）;MD=-1.08，95%CI（-1.89~0.27）;MD=-0.95,95%CI（-1.46~-1.44）;MD=-28.40,95%CI（-43.53~-13.26）］.There was no significant difference in Serum IgE between the probitic group and the placebo group(P>0.05).There was no significant difference in the NTSS value between the lactobacillus group and the bifidobacterium group(P>0.05). Conclusion:Compared to the placebo, probitics can effectively reduce symptom scores of patients with AR;and different strains of probitics indicated no significant differences in improving nasal symptoms.

Resolution of Allergic Rhinitis and Reactive Bronchospasm With Supplements and Food-specific Immunoglobulin G Elimination: A Case Report.

Context • Allergies are a common affliction, whether they are respiratory, food related, or dermatological. People often resort to continuous use of over-the-counter medications, such as antihistamines, to manage their symptoms. Controversy still remains over testing serum immunoglobulin (Ig) G to diagnose food allergies. Objective • This study intended to examine the benefits of treatment of a pediatric patient with natural supplements and an elimination diet for IgG food allergies. Design • The research team reported a case study. Setting • The study was conducted at Southwest Naturopathic Medical Center (Tempe, AZ, USA). Participant • The participant was a 10-y-old Caucasian female who had diagnoses of allergic rhinitis and reactive bronchospasm, the second of which was exacerbated by allergens such as wheat, perfumes, and seasonal flora. Intervention • Following testing for IgE- and IgG-reactive foods, the patient was treated with natural supplements to reduce her allergic responses and was instructed to make dietary changes to eliminate the IgG-reactive foods. Outcome Measures • The patient's symptom severity was tracked starting 1 mo after her initial visit to Southwest Naturopathic Medical Center. The severity was based on the patient's subjective reports about her congestion to her mother and on her mother's observations of the effect of symptoms on her attention and school performance. The bronchospasm severity was based on the frequency of a sensation of wheezing and chest tightness, the frequency of inhaler use, and the occurrence of any exacerbation of symptoms with acute respiratory illness Results • After 1 mo, in which the patient used the natural supplements, she experienced a 90% improvement in coughing; a 70% improvement in nasal congestion; less chest tightness; and no need for use of loratadine, diphenhydramine, or albuterol. At the 8-mo follow-up visit, her nasal congestion was reported to be entirely gone. Conclusions • The case demonstrates the effectiveness of natural supplements and a diet eliminating IgG-reactive foods in the treatment and management of pediatric allergic rhinitis and reactive bronchospasm.

Relationship between respiratory and food allergy and evaluation of preventive measures

Food allergy and respiratory allergy are two frequently associated diseases and with an increasing prevalence. Several reports show the presence of respiratory symptoms in patients with food allergy, while certain foods may be related to the development or exacerbation of allergic rhinitis and asthma. The present update focuses on this relationship, revealing a pathogenic and clinical association between food and respiratory allergy. This association is even more intense when the food hypersensitivity is persistent or starts in the early years of life. Food allergy usually precedes respiratory allergy and may be a risk factor for allergic rhinitis and asthma, becoming a relevant clinical marker for severe atopic asthma. Furthermore, the presence of co-existing asthma may enhance life-threatening symptoms occurring during a food allergic reaction. Recommendations for dietary restrictions during pregnancy and breastfeeding to prevent the development of respiratory allergy are controversial and not supported by consistent scientific data. Current recommendations from medical societies propose exclusive breastfeeding during the first four months of life, with the introduction of solid food in the fourth to the seventh month period of life. A delayed introduction of solid food after this period may increase the risk of developing subsequent allergic conditions. Further studies are encouraged to avoid unjustified recommendations involving useless dietary restrictions

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