Interleukin-10 generation in atopic children following oral Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG

Background Oral Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG ingestion for 5 days to 4 weeks has been shown to alleviate clinical symptoms of gastrointestinal inflammat ion and atopic dermatitis. Objective To determine whether oral Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG may act by g enerating immunosuppressive mediator in atopic children. Methods Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG (ATCC 53103) at a daily dose of 2 x 10(1 0) cfu was added for 4 weeks to the diets of nine children (mean age, 21 mo nths) with atopic dermatitis. Blood and faecal samples were collected befor e supplementation and at early (2 weeks) and late stage (4 and 8 weeks from the beginning). The concentrations of interleukin-6 (IL-6), IL-10, IL-12, tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF alpha) and interferon-gamma (IFN gamma) i n sera, as well as the production of IL-2, IL-4, IL-10 and IFN gamma in mit ogen-induced peripheral blood mononuclear cells, were assessed. Secretory I gA and TNF alpha were also determined in faeces. Results The serum IL-10 concentration differed significantly between before , early and late samples (P < 0.001) due to the elevation of serum IL-10 in the later phase of oral Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG ingestion. The enhancem ent of IL-10 production in mitogen-induced cultures preceded the rise in se rum IL-10. Conclusion The enhanced IL-10 generation in vivo substantiates the anti-inf lammatory properties of specific probiotic bacteria strains, and provides a n additional reason for considering such treatments for patients with intes tinal inflammation.