薬理と治療

Abstract

Objective　The aim of this study is to elucidate the effects of yogurt taken together with ground sesame on allergic rhinitis and conjunctivitis symptoms and on changes in IgE response, intestinal flora composition, and on CD4 positive T lymphocyte ratio Th1/Th2. Methods　A randomized parallel comparison study was conducted on 43 healthy adults. Participants were randomized into three groups; yogurt（200 g） and ground sesame（2 tablespoons, equivalent to 16 grams）group; yogurt（200 g） group; no additional test food group, to be taken every day for 4 weeks. Allergic rhinitis╱conjunctivitis QOL survey results, fecal sample, and serum biomarkers were evaluated for allergic symptoms, IgE response, intestinal flora composition, and blood chemistry variation. Results　The QOL survey（JACQLQ）result showed significant improvement in yogurt and sesame group in 9 items（i.e., eye itchiness, distracted from work etc.）, and also in yogurt group. IgE response to Birch lowered in yogurt and sesame group. Clostridium bartletti significantly decreased in yogurt and sesame group whereas it increased significantly in the control group. CD 4 positive Th1╱Th2 ratio significantly decreased in all three groups. Conclusions　The results suggest that taking yogurt with ground sesame significantly improves self-reported allergic rhinitis/conjunctivitis symptoms, and yogurt taken alone may also alleviate the symptoms. Yogurt and ground sesame may alleviate some specific IgE response, and it may also activate some beneficial gut flora. Widespread sanitization efforts may have influenced T lymphocyte ratio in measures to mitigate the spread of Covid-19. （UMIN　000039472）