Clinical immunology
Effect of orally administered probiotic strains Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium in children with atopic asthma

Children with mild to moderate asthma (n = 46), aged 4-10 years, were randomly allocated into groups matched according to age, height and body weight (Group 1 and Group 2). Group 1 (n = 22) received Trilac capsules (1.6 × 109 lactic acid bacteria cells: Lactobacillus acidophilus – 37.5%, Bifidobacterium bifidum – 37.5% and Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus – 25%), whilst Group 2 (n = 24) received placebo. The study was performed over 12 weeks and the results were evaluated using lung function and immunological tests. During the study period, the patients continued treatment with inhaled beta-mimetics and inhaled corticosteroids.

The children receiving Trilac significantly improved their lung function and presented with less episodes of asthma exacerbations during the study period than the children receiving placebo. Similarly, the amount of bronchodilatators used was significantly reduced in the children receiving Trilac than the children on placebo. The differences were also observed in the immunological parameters studied by flow cytometry. The statistically significant increase in the expression of HLA-DR on monocytes and decrease of CD8CD45RA+ lymphocytes were observed in Trilac group, but not in the placebo group. The levels of IFN- (Th1) and IL-10 (Treg) cytokines were increased in both examined groups.

In conclusion, a positive effect of 12-weeks administration of Trilac on the clinical course and lung function of the children with mild to moderate asthma was observed. Changes of immunological markers (increase of HLA-DR expression and decrease of CD8CD45RA+ cells) in the children treated with Trilac were also noted.