Effects of perinatal administration of Saccharomyces cerevisiae UFMG A-905 on the prevention of asthma in the offspring of mice

Abstract

Introduction: The prevalence of asthma has increased in children and communities that adopt a Western lifestyle and become more urbanized. Probiotics are live microorganisms that confer a health benefit to the host. Our previous results showed that S. cerevisiae UFMG A-905 attenuated asthma-like characteristics in an animal model, demonstrated by reduction in the bronchial hyperresponsiveness, total number of cells and eosinophils in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL), and inflammatory cytokines in BAL and lung. Perinatal programming theory suggests that premature exposure could exert a protective effect throughout adult life. Objectives: To evaluate the effects of perinatal administration of S. cerevisiae UFMG A-905 on the prevention of asthma in offspring of mice. Material and methods: S. cerevisiae UFMG A-905 will be administered to three groups of mice: before conception, during gestation and lactation; during gestation and lactation; and only during lactation. The offspring of these animals will be sensitized and challenged with OVA. Control group will receive only saline in the same periods. The animals will be ventilated and in vivo measurements of bronchial hyperresponsiveness will be performed. Airway inflammation will be evaluated in BLA with total and differential cell counting. Cytokine production (IL-4, IL-5, IL-10, IL-13, IFN-gamma and TGF-beta1 levels) will be assessed in lung homogenate with ELISA. (AU)