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ORIGINAL RESEARCH article
Front. Immunol.
Sec. Nutritional Immunology
Volume 15 - 2024 |
doi: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1439830
This article is part of the Research Topic Community Series in Targeted Innovative Immunomodulation of Allergy and Inflammation by Natural Molecules and Probiotics: Volume II View all 4 articles
Probiotics combined with prebiotics alleviated seasonal allergic rhinitis by altering the composition and metabolic function of intestinal microbiota: a prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial
Provisionally accepted- 1 The Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
- 2 Yulin No.2 Hospital, Yulin, Shaanxi Province, China
Background: Numerous studies have established that probiotics or prebiotics can relieve the symptoms of allergic rhinitis (AR), but their mechanism of action remain underexplored. This study aimed to observe the clinical efficacy of probiotics combined with prebiotics in seasonal AR patients and explore their underlying mechanisms. Methods: We conducted a prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial. The test group was given probiotics combined with prebiotics, whereas the placebo group was administered simulated preparation for 90 days. Outcome measures included total nasal symptom score (TNSS), visual analog scale, rhinitis quality of life questionnaire, fractional exhaled nitric oxide, and the rate and intensity of Loratadine use. Serum TNF-α, INF-γ, IL-4, IL-17, and IgE levels were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Intestinal microbiota was detected by 16S rRNA gene sequencing and quantitative PCR. Short-chain fatty acids were analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Results: 106 participants (N = 53 for both test group and placebo group) completed the study. From baseline to day 91, mean difference between groups (MDBG) in the reduction of TNSS was -1.1 (-2.2, -0.1) (P = 0.04); MDBG in the increment of TNF-α was 7.1 pg/ml (95% CI: 0.8, 13.4, P = 0.03); the INF-γ level was significantly increased (P = 0.01), whereas that of IL-17 (P = 0.005) was significantly decreased in the test group, whilst mean difference within groups was not statistically significant in the placebo group; MDBG in the increment of acetate was 12.4% (95% CI: 7.1%, 17.6%, P <0.001). After the administration of probiotics and prebiotics, the composition and metabolic function of the intestinal microbiota were significantly altered and positively related to the beneficial effect on seasonal AR patients. Conclusion: Probiotics combined with prebiotics administered for 90 days significantly attenuated the symptoms of seasonal AR patients, which may related to fluctuations in the composition and metabolic function of the intestinal microbiota and further ameliorating host immunity.
Keywords: allergic rhinitis, intestinal microbiota, Immunity, probiotics and prebiotics, shortchain fatty acids
Received: 28 May 2024; Accepted: 11 Oct 2024.
Copyright: © 2024 Hou, Wang, Zhou, Huo, Chen, Li, Ding, Li, Zhao, He, Da, Ma, Qiang, Chen, Bai, Cui, Gao and Liu. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) or licensor are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.
* Correspondence:
Shuru Zhou, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
Caifang Huo, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
Haijuan Chen, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
Fangxia Li, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
Minjuan Ding, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
Hongxin Li, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
Hongyan Zhao, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
Jin He, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
Hongju Da, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
Zhihui Qiang, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
Xiushan Chen, Yulin No.2 Hospital, Yulin, 537000, Shaanxi Province, China
Cairong Bai, Yulin No.2 Hospital, Yulin, 537000, Shaanxi Province, China
Jing Cui, Yulin No.2 Hospital, Yulin, 537000, Shaanxi Province, China
Na Gao, Yulin No.2 Hospital, Yulin, 537000, Shaanxi Province, China
Yun Liu, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
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