PA FORMULA
SPRING POLLEN ALLERGY
Spring pollen allergy, also known as seasonal allergic rhinitis, is an exaggerated immune response to allergens present in the air during spring, especially pollen from trees, flowers, and grasses. This condition affects a large portion of the population and can significantly impact the quality of life for those who suffer from it.
When allergic individuals inhale pollen, their immune system mistakenly identifies it as a threat and produces antibodies called immunoglobulin E (IgE). These antibodies attach to mast cells, which are immune system cells present in the respiratory tract, skin, and other tissues. The next time the individual is exposed to pollen, the mast cells release histamine and other chemicals, triggering a series of allergic symptoms.
SYMPTOMS AND IMMUNE RESPONSE
The most common symptoms of pollen allergy include:
• Sneezing: Frequent and repeated sneezing is a common reaction to pollen, as the body attempts to expel the allergen from the
respiratory tract.
• Itching in the nose, eyes, and throat: Histamine causes intense itching in these areas, which can be extremely bothersome.
• Watery and red eyes: Histamine release also affects the eyes, causing excessive tearing, redness, and swelling of the eyelids.
• Nasal congestion: Inflammation of the mucous membranes inside the nose causes a feeling of congestion and difficulty breathing
through the nose.
• Runny nose: Excessive production of clear mucus is a response to the irritation of the mucous membranes.
• Coughing and wheezing: In some cases, inflammation of the upper respiratory tract can cause coughing and wheezing, especially
in people with asthma.
In some cases, more severe symptoms such as difficulty breathing and chest tightness may also appear. These symptoms result from inflammation and irritation of the airways and mucous membranes due to the release of histamine. Chronic inflammation caused by continuous exposure to pollen can lead to additional complications, such as sinusitis and asthma. Moreover, prolonged inflammation can weaken the nasal mucosa barrier, facilitating the entry of other allergens and pathogens, which can further aggravate symptoms and the individual´s overall condition.
HOW QUERCETIN AND PROBIOTICS CAN HELP
Quercetin is a natural flavonoid found in many foods like apples, onions, and tea. It has shown anti-inflammatory and natural antihistamine properties. Quercetin can help stabilize mast cells, reducing the release of histamine and other inflammatory mediators.
By inhibiting histamine release, quercetin can lessen allergic symptoms such as itching, nasal congestion, and sneezing.
Probiotics have also shown promising results in modulating the immune system and reducing allergic symptoms. Probiotics are beneficial microorganisms that, when ingested, can balance the gut microbiota and enhance immune function. A healthy microbiome can help regulate the immune response and reduce sensitivity to allergens such as pollen.
Some studies suggest that certain strains of probiotics can decrease IgE production and histamine release, which could help alleviate the symptoms of spring pollen allergy.
Additionally, probiotics can improve the integrity of the intestinal barrier, reducing systemic inflammation and strengthening the overall immune response. In summary, spring pollen allergy is a condition that affects many people and can be debilitating. Quercetin offers a natural alternative to reduce histamine release and relieve symptoms, while
probiotics can address the underlying cause of the allergy by improving immune health.
Bibliografía:
Ouwehand, A. C., Nermes, M., Collado, M. C., Rautonen, N., Salminen, S., & Isolauri,E. (2009). Specific probiotics alleviate allergic rhinitis
during the birch pollen season. World Journal Of Gastroenterology, 15(26), 3261. https://doi.org/10.3748/wjg.15.3261
A randomized clinical trial was conducted with 47 children diagnosed with birch pollen allergy. The participants received either a probiotic combination of Lactobacillus acidophilus NCF( 1,25 x 10 9 CFU) and Bifidobacterium lactis ( 3,75 x 10 9 CFU) or a placebo, in a double-blind manner, over a period of 4 months.
At the conclusion of the trial, the group receiving probiotics showed a significant reduction in runny nose symptoms and eosinophil infiltration in the nasal mucosa compared to the placebo group. Additionally, IgA levels, which increased in the placebo group during the pollen season, were stabilized in the probiotic group, indicating that the probiotics prevented this increase.
DeMuri, G. P., Lehtoranta, L. M., Eickhoff, J. C., Lehtinen, M. J., & Wald, E. R.
(2021). Ex vivo peripheral blood mononuclear cell response to R848 in children after supplementation with the probiotic Lactobacillus
acidophilus NCFM/Bifidobacterium lactis Bi-07. Beneficial microbes, 12(1), 85–93. https://doi.org/10.3920/BM2020.0068
A 21-child open-label study was conducted to evaluate the effects of daily supplementation with a probiotic combination of Lactobacillus
acidophilus NCFM and Bifidobacterium animalis ssp. lactis Bi-07 containing 5×10 9 CFU each, over a 30-day period. The study focused on measuring cytokine levels in response to stimulation of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) using the toll-like receptor (TLR) 7/8
agonist resiquimod (R848). Whole blood samples were collected from each participant at baseline and after 30 days to culture PBMCs. These cells
were then incubated, either with or without resiquimod (R848) stimulation, and a comprehensive panel of immune markers was analyzed.
Results showed that probiotic supplementation led to significant changes in immune marker levels, including an increase in interleukin (IL)-10 and a decrease in MPIF-1, IL-8, interferon-gamma-induced protein 10, macrophage inflammatory protein 3 alpha (MIP-3α), and E-selectin.
In conclusion, daily supplementation with this probiotic combination was found to be safe and resulted in notable modulation of the PBMC-mediated
immune response to the TLR7/8 agonist R848, as well as significant alterations in MPIF-1 and MIP-3α levels
Perrin, Y., Nutten, S., Audran, R., Berger, B., Bibiloni, R., Wassenberg, J., Barbier, N., Aubert, V., Moulin, J., Singh, A., Magliola, C., Mercenier, A.,
& Spertini, F. (2014).
Comparison of two oral probiotic preparations in a randomized crossover trial highlights a potentially beneficial effect of Lactobacillus paracasei
NCC2461 in patients with allergic rhinitis. Clinical and translational allergy, 4(1), 1. https://doi.org/10.1186/2045-7022-4-1
A double-blind, randomized, cross-over study was conducted involving 31 adults with grass pollen-induced allergic rhinitis, outside of the grass pollen season. Participants received either a combination of Lactobacillus acidophilus and Bifidobacterium lactis, or Lactobacillus paracasei NCC2461, for a 4-week period in two phases, separated by a 6 to 8-week washout. Nasal provocation tests were administered before and after each 4-week supplementation phase, with both objective and subjective clinical symptoms, as well as immune parameters, assessed during and up to 24 hours after the tests.
Results demonstrated that the consumption of L. paracasei NCC2461 10 x10 9 CFU daily led to improvements comparable to those seen with the H1 antihistamine desloratadine. Despite the short duration of intake, L. paracasei NCC2461 was effective in reducing subjective nasal itching (pruritus) without significantly affecting nasal congestion in adults with grass pollen allergic rhinitis. The observed reduction in nasal fluid leukocytes and IL-5 secretion, along with increased IL-10 secretion in an allergen-specific manner, may partially explain the alleviation of nasal pruritus.
Costa, D. J., Marteau, P., Amouyal, M., Poulsen, L. K., Hamelmann, E., Cazaubiel, M., Housez, B., Leuillet, S., Stavnsbjerg, M., Molimard, P.,
Courau, S., & Bousquet, J. (2014). Efficacy and safety of the probiotic Lactobacillus paracasei LP-33 in allergic rhinitis: a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial (GA2LEN Study).
European journal of clinical nutrition, 68(5), 602–607. https://doi.org/10.1038/ejcn.2014.13
A double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized trial involving 425 participants was conducted to assess the effects of Lactobacillus paracasei LP-33 on patients with grass pollen-induced allergic rhinitis, all of whom were also treated with loratadine. The study divided participants into two groups: 210 individuals received loratadine 10 mg once daily along with a placebo, while 215 participants received loratadine 10 mg once daily in combination with Lactobacillus paracasei LP-33 at a daily dose of 2×10⁹ CFU. While no significant differences were observed between the groups in the total rhinitis symptom scores, a significant improvement in ocular symptoms, as measured by the Rhinitis Quality of Life Questionnaire (RQLQ), was noted in the
group receiving Lactobacillus paracasei LP-33.
Ahmed, M., Billoo, A. G., & Iqbal, K. (2019). Efficacy of probiotic in perennial allergic rhinitis under five year children: A randomized controlled trial. Pakistan journal of medical sciences, 35(6), 1538–1543. https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.35.6.744
A randomized clinical trial was conducted with 212 children who were assigned to either the intervention group (Group A), which received the probiotic Lactobacillus paracasei (LP-33) at a dosage of 2×10⁹ UFC daily, or the control group (Group B), which received 2.5 mg of cetirizine daily, for a period of six weeks. Allergic rhinitis symptoms—including rhinorrhea, sneezing, nasal blockage, coughing, and difficulties with feeding and sleeping—were assessed at baseline, after two weeks, and at the end of six weeks. Data from both groups were compared using the Pearson chi-square test. Conclusions: The study demonstrated that the probiotic Lactobacillus paracasei (LP-33) was equally effective as cetirizine in treating perennial allergic rhinitis in children under five years of age. Furthermore, the probiotic provided the added advantage of managing allergic rhinitis without causing significant side effects in the children evaluated
Yamada, S., Shirai, M., Inaba, Y., & Takara, T. (2022). Effects of repeated oral intake of a quercetin-containing supplement on allergic reaction:
a randomized, placebo- controlled, double-blind parallel-group study. European review for medical and pharmacological sciences, 26(12),
4331–4345. https://doi.org/10.26355/eurrev_202206_29072
A randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind, parallel-group study was conducted on 66 participants aged 22 to 78 years, all experiencing allergic symptoms of pollinosis. Subjects received either 200 mg of quercetin daily, administered in two doses of 100 mg, or a placebo with the same dosing schedule, for a duration of four weeks. Various assessments, including the Japanese Rhino-conjunctivitis Quality of Life Questionnaire (JRQLQ), quality of life metrics, nasal discharge neutrophil count, specific IgE levels in nasal discharge, and blood tests, were conducted at baseline, during the study, and at its conclusion.
Results indicated that, compared to the placebo group, quercetin supplementation led to significant improvements in both subjective
measures (such as sleep disorders, quality of life, and physical condition) and objective outcomes (including the severity of allergic
rhinitis and nasal discharge eosinophil count). This demonstrated a significant reduction in allergic rhinitis symptoms.