Kimchi is a traditional Korean food, of which its constituent lactic acid bacteria have been reported to possess various physiological activities. However, few studies have investigated the immunological activity of these bacteria or their effect on atopic dermatitis (AD). We investigated whether a mixture of 6 types of lactic acid bacteria strains (LBS) isolated from kimchi has an immunomodulating effect on atopy. Mice with atopic dermatitis were orally administered LSB from kimchi for 8 weeks, and skin moisture content, scratching behavior, T-and B-cell proliferation, Th1/2 cytokines, and serum IgE and histamine levels were measured. In addition, hematoxylin and eosin and toluidine blue staining were con-ducted. Mice receiving LBS from kimchi had increased skin moisture content (164.3%) and T-cell proliferation (more than 4-fold), and decreased number of scratching behaviors (78.2%) and B-cell proliferation (63.7%) compared with the 2,4-dinitrochlorobenzene control group. In addition, LBS increased Th1 type cytokines, decreased Th2 type and pro-inflam-matory cytokines, and decreased blood IgE (70.4%), histamine (67.6%) and mast cell levels. Therefore, it suggests that LBS of kimchi may be helpful in improving AD caused by immunological imbalance.
Keywords: Th1/Th2 balance; atopic dermatitis; immunomodulation; kimchi; lactic acid bacteria.
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