Journal of Ethnic Foods (Jun 2015)

Effect of Chongkukjang on histamine-induced skin wheal response: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial

  • Hyang-Im Baek,
  • Su-Young Jung,
  • Ki-Chan Ha,
  • Hye-Mi Kim,
  • Eun-Kyung Choi,
  • Su-Jin Jung,
  • Eun-Ock Park,
  • Sang-Wook Shin,
  • Min-Gul Kim,
  • Seok-Kweon Yun,
  • Dae-Young Kwon,
  • Hye-Jeong Yang,
  • Min-Jeong Kim,
  • Hee-Joo Kang,
  • Jin-Hee Kim,
  • Do-Youn Jeong,
  • Seung-Wha Jo,
  • Back-Hwan Cho,
  • Soo-Wan Chae

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jef.2015.04.003
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 2, no. 2
pp. 52 – 57

Abstract

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Background: Studies in animals have demonstrated the antiallergenic properties of Chongkukjang (CKJ), a traditional Korean food made by fermentation of soybean with Bacillus subtilis. CKJ might therefore be used as an ingredient in a functional food designed to suppress allergies. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of CKJ on histamine-induced skin wheal response in healthy participants. Methods: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial was conducted. Sixty participants (48 women and 12 men) were randomly assigned to one of two groups: One group received 35 g CKJ daily for 12 weeks, and the other received a placebo at the same dosing frequency. A skin prick test with histamine (10 mg/mL) was conducted on the ventral forearm 10 cm from the elbow, and assessed 15 minutes later. Outcomes included measurement of efficacy [skin wheal response, immunoglobulin E (IgE), histamine, interferon-gamma, interleukin-4, eosinophil, and eosinophil cationic protein (ECP)], and safety (adverse events, laboratory test results, electrocardiogram, anthropometric values, and vital signs). Results: Fifty-five participants (28 in the CKJ group and 27 in the placebo group) completed the study. After 12 weeks of supplementation, participants in the CKJ group showed a significant reduction in histamine-induced skin wheal areas compared with placebo group (p < 0.05). At 12 weeks, the CKJ group showed a significant improvement in percentage change from baseline in histamine-induced wheal area, compared with the placebo group (p < 0.05). CKJ did not influence blood levels of IgE, histamine, interferon-gamma, interleukin-4, eosinophil, or ECP. Conclusion: Oral administration of CKJ for 12 weeks resulted in a reduction of the skin wheal response to histamine, with no apparent adverse effects. Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT01402141.

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