THE IMMUNOMODULATORY EFFECTS OF PROBIOTIC BACTERIA ON PERIPHERAL BLOOD MONONUCLEAR CELLS (PBMCS) OF ALLERGIC PATIENTS

Allergic diseases represent major health burden. An allergic reaction is characterized by a disrupted Thelper 1/T-helper 2 balance toward a preferential allergen specifically induced TH2 cytokine profile, causing allergic inflammation Probiotic bacteria have various benificial effects in many pathologic situation. Studies have shown that the bacteria present in the intestinal micro flora play a role in the TH1/TH2 balance and its modulation can promote the control of infectious and immune processes. Testing the effects of probiotic bacteria on TH1/TH2 cytokine production by peripheral blood mononuclear cells of allergic patients and control subjects. This study included 24 patients allergic to date pollen and 16 healthy control subjects. PBMC of both groups were separated and cultured for 72 h with date pollen allergen (home-made) in the presence or absence of Lactobacillus rhamnosus ATCC 7469 (Living and dead) and Cphycocyanin. PBMCs incubated with PC showed significant increase of and IFN gamma production (median= 319.6 pg) when compared to PBMC incubated with the offending allergen alone (median = 22.8 pg).