Efficacy of Lactobacillus plantarum strain HSK201 in relief from Japanese cedar pollinosis.

To determine the effects of Lactobacillus plantarum strain HSK201 on Japanese cedar pollinosis, a single-blind, placebo-controlled study was conducted in 2008. The HSK201 group was administered fermented milk prepared with HSK201 for 8 weeks, and the placebo group was administered non-fermented milk adjusted to the same acidity and taste. We found HSK201 strain intake to suppress both helper T cell type 1/2 ratio reduction and serum Japanese cedar pollen-specific IgE elevation at the peak of pollen dispersion. In addition, the nasal and ocular symptom scores in the HSK201 group were also lower than those in the placebo group during the early phase of the pollen season. Although this was a preliminary study with 19 employees of our own company serving as subjects, the results suggest that ingestion of the HSK201 strain alleviates pollinosis symptoms during the period when pollen exposure is low and the symptoms are mild.