2015 Volume 21 Issue 2 Pages 223-230
The oral intake of probiotic microorganisms has been investigated as a potential approach to prevent IgE-associated allergic diseases, including atopic dermatitis (AD). However, the effects of potentially edible wild yeast strains of the genus Saccharomyces on allergic symptoms remain poorly understood. In this study, we investigated the effects in the NC/Nga AD mouse model of Saccharomyces paradoxus P01 (P01), a wild strain selected based on its suppressive effect on IgE production in vitro. Compared to animals on a P01-free diet, mice fed a P01-supplemented diet had a markedly reduced incidence of skin lesions and picryl chloride-induced ear thickening and inflammation. Serum IgE levels and IgE production by spleen cells in mice fed the P01-supplemented diet were significantly lower than those of control mice. These results suggest that oral intake of specific IgE-suppressive wild strains of Saccharomyces yeast may be effective in suppressing IgE production and alleviating IgE-associated allergic symptoms.