IMMUNE AND CLINICAL IMPACT OFF LACTOBACILLUS-ACIDOPHILUS ON ASTHMA

Background: Animal and human studies have suggested that yogurt contai ning live active bacteria leads to improved immune and clinical respon ses. Specific benefits of yogurt containing L. acidophilus on allergic asthma have been hypothesized but not studied. Methods: In a crossove r double-blinded design, the effect of live active yogurt (225 g twice daily) with or without L. acidophilus was studied in 15 adult patient s with moderate asthma. Immune and clinical parameters were measured b efore and after the two 1-month crossover phases. Results: No signific ant changes were noted in peripheral cell counts, IgE, IL-2, or IL-4 w hen comparing the two diets to each other. Concanavalin A-stimulated l ymphocytes from patients who consumed yogurt containing L. acidophilus produced borderline elevated interferon gamma levels (P = .054). No d ifferences were noted in mean daily peak flows or changes in spirometr ic values. Quality of life indices were unchanged when comparing the t wo groups. Conclusions: Yogurt containing L. acidophilus generated tre nds in the inc,pease in interferon gamma and decreased eosinophilia; h owever, we were unable to detect changes in clinical parameters in ast hma patients in association with these modest immune changes.