A unique patented trans-galactooligosaccharide complex (B-GOS) may improve aspects of exercise-induced bronchoconstriction (EIB), according to new clinical research.

In the randomized (block randomization), double-blind, placebo-controlled, cross-over study, five adults with diagnosed asthma and hyperpnoea-induced bronchoconstriction (HIB), a stand-in for EIB, and eight adults with no history of asthma (control group) were randomly assigned to receive 5·5 g/d of either the patented GOS complex (as Bimuno, from Clasado Biosciences Ltd) or placebo (maltodextrin) for three weeks. Following a two-week washout period, the subjects took the opposite supplement for three weeks.

At baseline (0 and 21 days), researchers measured fraction of exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO), one of the many measurable markers of T-helper 2 (TH2) cell-orchestrated inflammation central to asthma. Subjects then undertook a eucapnic voluntary hyperpnoea (EVH) challenge, which causes highly reproducible HIB in adults that mimics the effects of EIA. Researchers assessed pulmonary function—forced vital capacity (FVC), PEF and FEV1—at baseline and 3, 6, 10, 20 and 30 minutes after each EVH challenge. At baseline, 15 minutes, one hour and 24 hours after EVH they drew and analyzed blood samples for TH2-driven inflammatory markers, including chemokine CC ligand 17 (CCL17), CCL11, immunoglobulin E (IgE), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNFa) and C-reactive protein (CRP).

Results showed in subjects without asthma taking BImuno and in subjects with asthma taking placebo, there was no improvement in respiratory function (FEV1) after the EVH challenge. However, when asthma subjects took Bimuno), respiratory function was improved by 40 percent after the EVH challenge. Further, baseline levels of CCL17, CRP and TNFa were reduced in asthma subjects taking Bimuno, and the post-challenge TNFa increase (29 percent) was completely abolished when asthma subjects took Bimuno.

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