Possible link of a compositional change in intestinal microbiota with the anti-allergic effect of fructo-oligosaccharides in NC/jic mice.

Food allergy was induced in two groups of NC/jic mice. Mice fed frucuto-oligosaccharides showed fewer allergic symptoms than control diet-fed mice. The cecal microbiota compositions were clearly different between the two groups, and the difference was partly attributable to Clostridia possession.

Increased number of CCR4-positive cells in the duodenum of ovalbumin-induced food allergy model Nc/jic mice and antiallergic activity of fructooligosaccharides.

Background: Fructooligosaccharides (FOS) in prebiotic foods can alter intestinal immune responses. The combination of probiotics with oligosaccharides has been reported to alter intestinal flora and suggested to be beneficial against food allergy in humans.

Methods: All male Nc/jic mice used in this 8-week study were 6 weeks of age and were allotted to the following three groups: (1) the nonsensitization group; (2) the ovalbumin (OVA) sensitization +5% fructose-containing control food administration group; and (3) the OVA sensitization +5% FOS-containing food administration group.

Airway remodeling: a comparison between fatal and nonfatal asthma.

Background: Airway remodeling has been recently one of the main goals in asthma research because it has been implicated to influence airway behavior and evolution of asthma; hence, important in long-term followup of asthmatic patients.

Methods: Airways of fatal asthma (n=3), non-fatal asthma (n=3) and control cases (n=4) were studied using morphometry and immunohistochemical and H&E staining.

Results: The basement membrane was thicker in the cartilaginous and membranous airways of fatal and non-fatal asthma groups compared to the control group (p<0.