Table 3.
Serum immune markers; before, during and after the birch pollen season, median
|
March |
April/May |
June |
||||
| Placebo | Probiotic | Placebo | Probiotic | Placebo | Probiotic | |
| Specific IgE birch pollen (kU/L) | 26.0 (18.0-45.8) | 25.5 (15.5-54.0) | - | - | 150.00 (36.0-150.0)1 | 150.00 (150.0-150.0)1 |
| Blood eosinophils (109/L) | 0.30 (0.24-0.44) | 0.18 (0.12-0.34) | - | - | 0.40 (0.25-0.72)1 | 0.42 (0.28-069)1 |
| IL-4 (pg/mL) | 2.20 (1.5-2.8) | 1.70 (0.0-2.2) | 1.70 (0.8-2.2) | 1.7 (1.3-2.1) | - | - |
| IL-5 (pg/mL) | 19.6 (0.0-69.7) | 9.10 (0.0-24.2) | 14.70 (0.0-28.3) | 18.4 (0.0-60.2) | - | - |
| IL-6 (pg/mL) | 16.6 (5.7-38.3) | 4.70 (3.0-11.4)3 | 4.20 (2.3-7.3)1 | 3.0 (2.0-3.9)1 | - | - |
| IL-10 (pg/mL) | 1.60 (1.4-1.9) | 1.50 (0.0-2.1) | 1.40 (0.0-1.8)2 | 0.0 (0.0-1.5) | - | - |
| TNF-α (pg/mL) | 7.70 (3.9-13.5) | 3.50 (2.5-5.2)3 | 2.90 (2.3-4.8)1 | 2.5 (2.1-3.2)1 | - | - |
| TGF-β2 (pg/mL) | 242 (0.0-342) | 247 (0.0-369) | 213.6 (0.0-314.3) | 267.9 (0.0-445.9) | - | - |
| CD-14 (μg/mL) | 1.20 (1.1-1.3) | 1.20 (1.1-1.3) | - | - | 1.20 (1.1-1.3) | 1.10 (1.1-1.3) |
1
Significantly different from previous time point; P < 0.01.
2
Significantly different from previous time point; P < 0.05.
3
Significantly different between groups; P < 0.05. -: No sample collected. Data are expressed as median (interquartile range).