Suppression of histamine signaling by probiotic Lac-B: a possible mechanism of its anti-allergic effect

J Pharmacol Sci. 2008 Jun;107(2):159-66. doi: 10.1254/jphs.08028fp. Epub 2008 Jun 5.

Abstract

It has been shown that probiotic bacteria are effective for the treatment of allergic diseases. As histamine plays a central role in allergic diseases, it is possible that probiotic bacteria affect the allergy-related histamine signaling. Here, we investigated the effect of Lac-B, a mixture of freeze-dried Bifidobacterium infantis and Bifidobacterium longum, on the allergy-related histamine signaling. In the nasal allergy model rats made by sensitization and provocation with toluene 2,4-diisocyanate (TDI) for 3 weeks, TDI provocation caused acute allergy-like behaviors along with significant up-regulation of histamine H(1) receptor (H1R) and histidine decarboxylase (HDC) mRNA expression, increased HDC activity, histamine content, and [(3)H]mepyramine binding activity in nasal mucosa. Prolonged treatment with Lac-B (40 mg/rat, p.o.) significantly suppressed both the allergy-like behaviors and all of the above mentioned factors involved in histamine signaling. Our findings indicate that oral administration of Lac-B showed significant anti-allergic effect through suppression of both H1R and HDC gene expression followed by decrease in H1R, HDC protein level, and histamine content. Suppression of histamine signaling may be a novel target of probiotics in preventing allergic diseases.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Anti-Allergic Agents / pharmacology*
  • Cytokines / genetics
  • Histamine Antagonists / pharmacology*
  • Histidine Decarboxylase / genetics
  • Male
  • Probiotics / pharmacology*
  • RNA, Messenger / analysis
  • Rats
  • Rats, Inbred BN
  • Receptors, Histamine H1 / genetics
  • Signal Transduction / drug effects*
  • Toluene 2,4-Diisocyanate / pharmacology

Substances

  • Anti-Allergic Agents
  • Cytokines
  • Histamine Antagonists
  • RNA, Messenger
  • Receptors, Histamine H1
  • Toluene 2,4-Diisocyanate
  • Histidine Decarboxylase