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Effects of dietary yoghurt on immunological and clinical parameters of rhinopathic patients

European Journal of Clinical Nutrition volume 56, pages 1155–1161 (2002)Cite this article

Abstract

Objectives: To examine the immunological and clinical influence of 4 months' feeding with either yoghurt or partially skimmed milk or nothing, on 20 volunteers.

Subjects: Thirteen subjects had a demonstrated allergic rhinopathy and seven were healthy subjects and participated as controls.

Research design: Either a group of seven or a group of six rhinopathic patients were fed either 450 g yoghurt or 450 g partially skimmed milk, respectively, for 4 months between March and October 1999. All subjects maintained their usual diet throughout the study.

Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) were isolated before and after the experimental period and cultured for periods of 40 and 64 h. Proliferation index assay and release of IFNγ and IL-4 without and with PHA stimulation were assessed.

Allergic rhinopathy was evaluated before and after the 4 months period by performing the nasal functionality tests (Active Anterior Rhinomanometry, Acoustic Rhinometry), the prick test, the nasal specific provocation test (NPT), the dosage of specific IgE blood levels, the evaluation of the symptomatological score and the nasal mucociliary transport test.

Results: No significant change of the proliferation index was noted among the three groups. Cultured PBMC of the group fed with yoghurt released more IFNγ and less IL-4. Cytokine plasma levels were at and remained at basal levels. Prick test, specific serum IgEs and NPT remained immodified. Muco-ciliary transport time (MCTt) and symptomatological score showed a definitive improvement after yoghurt feeding.

Conclusion: Yoghurt feeding appears to improve or prevent allergic recurrences in rhinopatic patients.

Sponsorship: This study was funded, in part, by a grant from Parmalat, Parma, Italy.

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Acknowledgements

The co-operation of the patients and healthy volunteers is greatly appreciated. We are very greateful to Mrs H Carter and Mrs P Marrocchesi for English revision and editing the paper.

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Author notes

  1. V Bocci: Guarantor: Prof. C. Salvatori, PARMALAT.

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of General Physiology, University of Siena, Siena, Italy

    C Aldinucci & V Bocci

  2. ENT Department, University of Siena, Siena, Italy

    L Bellussi, G Monciatti, GC Passàli, L Salerni & D Passàli

Authors
  1. C Aldinucci
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  2. L Bellussi
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  3. G Monciatti
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  4. GC Passàli
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  5. L Salerni
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  6. D Passàli
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  7. V Bocci
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Correspondence to V Bocci.

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Aldinucci, C., Bellussi, L., Monciatti, G. et al. Effects of dietary yoghurt on immunological and clinical parameters of rhinopathic patients. Eur J Clin Nutr 56, 1155–1161 (2002). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.ejcn.1601465

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