Small molecule 'jams the switch' to prevent inflammatory cell death

Small molecule 'jams the switch' to prevent inflammatory cell death -- ScienceDaily

Probiotics: use in allergic disorders

Probiotics: use in allergic disorders: a Nutrition, Allergy, Mucosal Immunology, and Intestinal Microbiota (NAMI) Research Group Report

-Isolauri E, Salminen S, Department of Paediatrics, University of Turku, Finland.
J Clin Gastroenterol. 2008 Jul;42 Suppl 2:S91-6. doi: 10.1097/MCG.0b013e3181639a98.

Excerpts:

• The underlying denominators and treatment targets in allergic disorders may be outlined as aberrant barrier functions of the skin epithelium and gut mucosa and dysregulation of the immune response to ubiquitous environmental antigens. Dietary methods to control symptoms and reduce the risk of allergic disease have hitherto focused on elimination diets, alone or in combination with other environmental measures. The results have not been satisfactory regarding long-term prevention, and new approaches are urgently needed.
• demonstration that the immunophysiologic regulation in the gut depends on the establishment of the healthy gut microbiota, has led to the introduction of novel modes of therapeutic intervention on the basis of the consumption of monocultures and mixed cultures of beneficial live probiotic microorganisms. The current aims of intervention are to avert deviant microbiota development, strengthen the gut barrier function, and alleviate abnormal immune responsiveness.
• Specific probiotics, selected from members of the healthy intestinal microbiota most of them belonging to Lactobacillus or Bifidobacterium, aid in degradation/structural modification of enteral antigens, regulation of the secretion of inflammatory mediators, and direction of the development of the immune system during the critical period of life when these functions are immature and inexperienced and the risk of allergic disease is heightened. In humans, documented effects have been reported for alleviation of intestinal inflammation, normalization of gut mucosal dysfunction, and down-regulation of hypersensitivity reactions, thereby preferentially targeting allergic conditions with intestinal involvement.

Idiopathic eosinophilic esophagitis is associated with a TH2-type allergic inflammatory response

Idiopathic eosinophilic esophagitis is associated with a TH2-type allergic inflammatory response
-Alex Straumann, MDa, et al.

Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology

Volume 108, Issue 6, December 2001, Pages 954–961

"IEE is a selective inflammatory response of the esophagus. T cells, IL-5, eosinophils, and IgE-mediated mechanisms appear to be involved, giving rise to the possibility that allergic reactions might play a role in the pathogenesis of the disease."

Eosinophilic esophagitis

• Eosinophilic esophagitis is an allergic inflammatory condition of the esophagus, and also called allergic oesophagitis. 
• Symptoms are swallowing difficulty, food impaction, and heartburn. 
• Eosinophilic oesophagitis (EE) was first described in children but occurs in adults as well. 
• Food allergy may play a significant role. 

-Eosinophilic esophagitis - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia