Oral administration of Saccharomyces cerevisiae UFMG A-905 prevents allergic asthma in mice

Background and objectiveThe prevalence of asthma has increased in communities that adopt a Western lifestyle and become more urbanized. Probiotics may be effective in the prevention of allergic diseases, such as asthma. The aim of the current study was to examine the effects of Saccharomyces cerevisiaeUFMG A-905 in an allergic model of asthma. MethodsBalb/c mice were sensitized twice with ovalbumin (OVA) intraperitoneally, 1week apart and challenged with OVA intranasally for 3days. Mice were daily treated with S. cerevisiaeUFMG A-905 via gavaging needle 10days before OVA sensitization and during challenges. After challenge, in vivo lung function was measured, and bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) and lung inflammation were assessed. ResultsOral treatment with S. cerevisiaeUFMG A-905 significantly decreased airway hyperresponsiveness, total cell number and the influx of eosinophils to the airway, inflammatory cell in the lung, mucus expression in epithelial cells and the levels of IL-4, IL-5 and IL-13. Additionally, S. cerevisiaeUFMG A-905 restored the levels of IL-10 and interferon (IFN)-gamma, and increased the levels of IL-17A. ConclusionOral administration of S. cerevisiaeUFMG A-905 prevented the development of major asthma-like characteristics in a mouse model. (AU)