FOOD COMPOSITION AND PHARMACEUTICAL COMPOSITION FOR INHIBITING SJOGREN'S SYNDROME EACH CONTAINING BIFIDOBACTERIUM PSEUDOCATENULATUM C-RAPO (KCTC13986BP) AND BIFIDOBACTERIUM BIFIDUM ATT (KCTC13474BP)

Abstract

Disclosed are Bifidobacterium pseudocatenulatum C-RAPO (KCTC13986BP) and Bifidobacterium bifidum ATT (KCTC13474BP) strains that have the effects of inhibiting sialoadenitis, which is a symptom of the Sjogren's syndrome, and inhibiting a reduction in saliva flow rate. Based on this, these strains can be used for prevention or treatment of Sjogren's syndrome and can be developed into food, health food and pharmaceuticals.

Claims

1.-4. (canceled)

5. A method of inhibiting Sjogren's syndrome in a subject in need thereof comprising administrating to the subject a food composition comprising a strain of Bifidobacterium pseudocatenulatum C-RAPO (KCTC13986BP).

6. A method of preventing or treating Sjogren's syndrome in a subject in need thereof comprising administrating to the subject a pharmaceutical composition comprising a strain of Bifidobacterium pseudocatenulatum C-RAPO (KCTC13986BP).

7. A method of inhibiting Sjogren's syndrome in a subject in need thereof comprising administrating to the subject a food composition comprising a strain of Bifidobacterium bifidum ATT (KCTC13474BP).

8. A method of preventing or treating Sjogren's syndrome in a subject in need thereof comprising administrating to the subject a pharmaceutical composition comprising a strain of Bifidobacterium bifidum ATT (KCTC13474BP).

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014] The above and other objects, features and other advantages of the present invention will be more clearly understood from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0015] FIG. 1 shows grouping as a function of saliva flow rate (SFR) at 10 weeks of age according to the present invention;

[0016] FIG. 2 is a graph showing the number of foci per unit area in salivary gland tissue after administration of vehicles and test substances of the present invention;

[0017] FIG. 3 is a graph showing an inflammation score converted from the number of foci per unit area in the salivary gland tissue after administration of the vehicle and test substances of the present invention;

[0018] FIG. 4 is an image showing the salivary tissue slide at 40× magnification of the vehicle-administered group (Vehicle) as a result of salivary tissue pathological analysis of the present invention (H&E);

[0019] FIG. 5 is an image showing the salivary tissue slide at 40× magnification of the B. pseudocatenulatum C-RAPO-administered group as the result of salivary tissue pathological analysis of the present invention (H&E);

[0020] FIG. 6 is an image showing the salivary tissue slide at 40× magnification of the B. longum RAPO-administered group as a result of salivary tissue pathological analysis of the present invention (H&E);

[0021] FIG. 7 is an image showing the salivary tissue slide at 40× magnification of the B. bifidum ATT-administered group as a result of salivary tissue pathological analysis of the present invention (H&E);

[0022] FIG. 8 shows the result of B cell infiltration in salivary gland tissue, wherein the salivary gland tissue of an 18-week-old mouse was extracted and produced into a paraffin block, the tissue fragment was stained by immunohistochemistry with CD3 antibody and imaged under a microscope at 200× magnification, the positive site was masked in black (left in FIG. 8) using Image J software, the number of pixels was calculated and the CD3 positive area per unit area was expressed as the mean±standard deviation (right in FIG. 8);

[0023] FIG. 9 shows the result of B cell infiltration in salivary gland tissue, wherein the salivary gland tissue of an 18-week-old mouse was extracted and produced into a paraffin block, the tissue fragment was stained by immunohistochemistry (IHC) with B220 antibody and imaged under a microscope at 200× magnification, the positive site was masked in black (left in FIG. 9) using Image J software, the number of pixels was calculated, the B220 positive area per unit area was expressed as the mean±standard deviation (right in FIG. 9);

[0024] FIG. 10 is a graph showing the result of quantification of the effect on saliva secretion function by measurement of the amount of saliva secreted by NOD/ShiLtJ mice depending on age (weeks) in response to administration of the vehicle and test substances of the present invention;

[0025] FIG. 11 is a graph showing the amount of saliva secreted (SFR) by the vehicle group of the present invention as a function of age (weeks), digitized as the amount of saliva secreted by a subject;

[0026] FIG. 12 is a graph showing the amount of saliva secreted (SFR) by the C-RAPO group of the present invention as a function of age (weeks) digitized as the amount of saliva secreted by a subject;

[0027] FIG. 13 is a graph showing the amount of saliva secreted (SFR) by the RAPO group of the present invention as a function of age (weeks), digitized as the amount of saliva secreted by subject; and

[0028] FIG. 14 is a graph showing the amount of saliva secreted (SFR) by the ATT group of the present invention as a function of age (weeks), digitized as the amount of saliva secreted by a subject.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0029] The present invention provides Bifidobacterium pseudocatenulatum C-RAPO (KCTC13986BP) and Bifidobacterium bifidum ATT (KCTC13474BP) strains. The experiment of the present invention shows that the Bifidobacterium pseudocatenulatum C-RAPO (KCTC13986BP) and Bifidobacterium bifidum ATT (KCTC13474BP) strains have effects of reducing inflammatory cell infiltration and increasing saliva secretion (SFR) in patients afflicted with Sjogren's syndrome. More specifically, the pathological analysis experiment involving salivary gland tissue H&E staining showed that a group administered with Bifidobacterium pseudocatenulatum C-RAPO (KCTC13986BP) as a test drug has had therapeutic effect on sialoadenitis when compared with a vehicle-administered group. The experiment of T-cell/B-cell infiltration analysis on salivary gland tissue showed that administration with 50 mg/kg/day of Bifidobacterium pseudocatenulatum C-RAPO (KCTC13986BP) decreases inflammatory cell infiltration, and thus decreases infiltration of T and B cells.

[0030] In addition, the saliva secretion (SFR) experiment demonstrated that administration with 50 mg/kg/day of Bifidobacterium pseudocatenulatum C-RAPO (KCTC13986BP) and Bifidobacterium bifidum ATT (KCTC13474BP) inhibits a reduction in saliva secretion, that is, a reduction in saliva secretion attributable to Sjogren's syndrome.

[0031] It was found that both Bifidobacterium pseudocatenulatum C-RAPO (KCTC13986BP) and Bifidobacterium bifidum ATT (KCTC13474BP) are effective in suppressing Sjogren's syndrome, but Bifidobacterium pseudocatenulatum C-RAPO (KCTC13986BP) is preferred due to its effects of treating sialoadenitis as well as inhibiting reduction of saliva secretion.

[0032] The present invention provides a food composition for inhibiting Sjogren's syndrome containing Bifidobacterium pseudocatenulatum C-RAPO (KCTC13986BP) and Bifidobacterium bifidum ATT (KCTC13474BP) strains.

[0033] In the present invention, the food composition is not necessarily limited to a certain formulation, and is, for example, a formulation of a capsule, tablet, powder, granule, liquid, pill, flake, paste, syrup, gel, jelly or bar. In addition, the food composition may be a general food form prepared by adding the same to food ingredients of beverages, teas, spices, chewing gum, confectioneries or the like.

[0034] The present invention provides a pharmaceutical composition for preventing or treating Sjogren's syndrome containing Bifidobacterium pseudocatenulatum C-RAPO (KCTC13986BP) and Bifidobacterium bifidum ATT (KCTC13474BP) strains.

[0035] Here, the pharmaceutical composition may be prepared in the form of various parenteral or oral formulations according to a known method, and a typical formulation for parenteral administration is a formulation for injection, such as an isotonic aqueous solution or suspension. The formulation for injection may be prepared according to techniques known in the art using a suitable dispersing agent or wetting agent and a suspending agent. For example, the formulation for injection can be prepared by dissolving each component in saline or buffer. In addition, oral formulations include, but are not limited to, powders, granules, tablets, pills, capsules and the like.

[0036] In addition, the pharmaceutical composition formulated by the method described above can be administered in an effective amount through various routes including oral, transdermal, subcutaneous, intravenous or intramuscular routes. The term “effective amount” refers to an amount that exhibits a prophylactic or therapeutic effect when administered to a patient. The dosage of the pharmaceutical composition according to the present invention can be appropriately selected according to the route of administration, the subject of administration, age, gender, weight, the condition of the subject, and disease severity.

[0037] Hereinafter, the configuration of the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to the following examples and experimental examples. The scope of the present invention is not limited to the examples and experimental examples, and includes modifications of the technical concept equivalent thereto.

[0038] The abbreviations are summarized and tabulated prior to the description of this experiment.

TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 Abbreviations Definition of Terms Korean B Bifidobacterium NOD Non-obese diabetic Ig Immunoglobulin SFR Saliva flow rate ELISA Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay CD Cluster of differentiation   FSC-A Forward scatter-Average SSC-A Side scatter-Average PMA Phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate     IL Interleukin mpk mg/kg   H&E Hematoxylin & Eosin   IHC Immunohistochemistry  

[0039] Test strains and vehicles used in the experiments of the present invention are shown in the table below.

[0040] 1) Test Strain

TABLE-US-00002 TABLE 2 B. pseudocatenulatum C-RAPO Name (KCTC13986BP) Production No. 201908 Date of purchase Apr. 09, 2019 Amount of purchase 80 tubes Phase Ivory powder Content 10~15 mg/tube Valid date 2021.08 Storage conditions −70 degrees Manufacturer Bifido Co. Ltd. Deposition No. KCTC13986BP Published Published under Korean Patent Application No. 10-2019-0126394

TABLE-US-00003 TABLE 3 Name B. bifidum ATT (KCTC13474BP) Production No. 201908 Date of purchase Apr. 09, 2019 Amount of purchase 80 tubes Phase Ivory powder Content 10~15 mg/tube Valid date 2021.08 Storage conditions −70 degrees Manufacturer Bifido Co. Ltd. Deposition No. KCTC13474BP Published Published under Korean Patent Application 10-2018-0012354

TABLE-US-00004 TABLE 4 Name B. longum RAPO (KCTC13773BP) Production No. 201908 Date of purchase Apr. 09, 2019 Amount of purchase 80 tubes Phase Ivory powder Content 10~15 mg/tube Valid date 2021.08 Storage conditions −70 degrees Manufacturer Bifido Co. Ltd. Deposition No. KCTC 13773BP Published Published under Korean Patent Application 10-2018-0160170

[0041] 2) Vehicle

TABLE-US-00005 TABLE 5 Name Physiological saline Production No. KAH5134 3B Manufacturer ChoongWae Pharma Corporation Storage conditions Stored at room temperature

[0042] The materials for the experiment of the present invention were tested under the following information conditions.

[0043] 1) Test Animal Information

TABLE-US-00006 TABLE 6 Species and lineage NOD/ShiLtj mouse Supply source Central Experimental Animal Co., Ltd. The reason for selection This is a multiple model that causes type 1 diabetes. Diabetes occurring in this mouse is characterized by insulitis and causes lymphatic inflammation in the pancreas. At about 12 weeks of age, insulin secretion decreases rapidly, and this phenomenon progresses faster in females. As a result the concentration of glucose in the plasma reaches 250 mg/dL only for subjects with diabetes. From about 12 weeks of age, salivary gland epithelial cells that secrete the salivary gland begin to deform, and at the age of 16 weeks, lymphocytic inflammation becomes serious and saliva secretion decreases. This is the reason for selection as an animal model for Sjogren’s syndrome. Date of purchase Aug. 29, 2019 Gender Female Number of animals and body 40, 19-21 g weight range upon purchase Number of animals and body weight range upon 40, 22-24 g administration start

[0044] 2) Determination for Test Group Configuration

[0045] (1) Composition of Test Group

TABLE-US-00007 TABLE 7 Number of Amount of animals Animal Administration administered Dose Group Gender (No.) No. route/frequency solution (mg/kg) G1 Female 8 V Oral administration 100 μL/20~25 g — Vehicle once/day, 45 in total G2 Female 8 L 50 mg/kg B. pseudocatenulatum C-RAPO G3 Female 8 R 50 mg/kg B. longum RAPO G4 Female 8 A 50 mg/kg B. bifidum ATT

[0046] (2) Number of Subject

TABLE-US-00008 TABLE 8 Subject marking Vehicle (V) 1X 1L 1R 1B 2X 2L 2R 2B C-RAPO(L) 1X 1L 1R 1B 2X 2L 2R 2B RAPO(R) 1X 1L 1R 1B 2X 2L 2R 2B ATT(A) 1X 1L 1R 1B 2X 2L 2R 2B

[0047] (3) Grouping

[0048] Prior to administration of test substances B. pseudocatenulatum C-RAPO (KCTC13986BP), B. longum RAPO (KCTC13773BP) and B. bifidum ATT (KCTC13474BP), grouping was performed based on the results of SFR measurement of NOD/ShiLtJ mice 10 weeks of age, before significant reduction in salivation. The amount of saliva (μL) (SFR) obtained through pilocarpine activation for 10 minutes was calculated and compared as a function of body weight (g) and time (minute). Grouping was conducted as uniformly as possible such that the mean and standard deviation of SFR at weeks of age were G1: 0.673±0.120 μL/g/min, G2: 0.672±0.120 μL/g/min, G3: 0.671±0.129 μL/g/min, G4: 0.673±0.133 μL/g/min.

[0049] Grouping as a function of saliva flow rate (SFR) at 10 weeks of age is shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 1 shows grouping as a function of saliva flow rate (SFR) at 10 weeks of age according to the present invention. That is, after measurement of saliva flow rate (SFR), 10-week-old animals were divided such that the mean saliva flow rate in each group and the standard deviation (SD) for each group were distributed as uniformly as possible, to construct “configuration of test groups” (Table 7).

[0050] (4) Preparation of Administered Substance

[0051] The test substance was dispensed at a dose of 10 to 15 mg/tube, incorporated and then diluted in physiological saline at a concentration of 10 mg/ml immediately before administration. The test substance was prepared in the corresponding dose daily and the remaining substance was immediately discarded. Injection of the test substance was started the following day after measuring the saliva flow rate at 10 weeks of age.

[0052] (5) Administration

[0053] Vehicles and test substances were orally administered through the intended clinical route for application to humans. The test substance for oral administration was administered directly into the stomach using a syringe equipped with a sonde for oral administration. In addition, a substance for injection (saliva-inducing substance, pilocarpine) was directly intraperitoneally administered at a dose of 0.1 mg/100 μL after manual calibration on mice.

[0054] (6) Frequency and Time of Administration

[0055] The vehicles and test substances were administered once a day, 45 times in total over 9 weeks. The saliva-inducing substance (pilocarpine) was administered once or twice a week (when saliva flow rate (SFR) was analyzed, some subjects were measured again the next day), and the mice were given unlimited access to feed.

[0056] 3) Test Method and Test Items

[0057] (1) Weight Measurement

[0058] Measurements were conducted at intervals of 2 weeks from 10 weeks to 18 weeks of age.

[0059] (2) Immunoglobulin Analysis

[0060] Orbital blood was collected every two weeks from 10 weeks to 18 weeks of age and serum obtained therefrom was used for measurement. Serum was used for measurement after 50,000-fold dilution with Tris buffer solution containing 1% bovine serum albumin. The products used for ELISA measurement were as follows, and measurements were performed according to the manufacturer's recommendation.

TABLE-US-00009 TABLE 9 Sample name Manufacturer Cat. No Dose Mouse IgG ELISA Bethyl lab. E90-131 1 Quantitation set TMB substrate solution ThermoFisher 00-4201-56 1

[0061] (3) Saliva Flow Rate (SFR) Analysis

[0062] Preparation of saliva-inducing substance: Pilocarpine hydrochloride (Sigma, Cat. No. P6503) was dissolved at a concentration of 1 mg/ml in distilled water and the resulting solution was filtered through a 0.22 μm syringe filter.

[0063] Saliva collection: mice were subjected to respiratory anesthesia with isoflurane for 1 minute immediately after intraperitoneal injection of a pilocarpine solution at 0.1 ml/mouse. Each mouse was calibrated by hand and saliva collected in the mouth of the mouse was collected in a tube using a 200 μL micropipette for 10 minutes. The collected saliva was centrifuged at 8,000 rpm for 5 minutes and then the volume was measured and recorded using a 200 μL micropipette. The saliva flow rate was calculated as saliva (μL)/body weight (g)/1 minute and compared. The separated saliva supernatant was frozen at −20° C. Subjects having a saliva flow rate (SFR) below the average in the group were measured again and calibrated the next day.

[0064] (4) Tissue Analysis (Hematoxylin & Eosin)

[0065] After euthanasia of each of the 18-week-old mice, the neck thereof was excised and the salivary glands were extracted and immobilized by soaking in formalin solution, and then produced into a paraffin block. Hematoxylin & Eosin staining was performed on three salivary gland section slides from each of three sites. After 40× magnification microscopy, foci of 20 or more lymphocytes in tissues were counted and scored.

[0066] Inflammation scoring: 0 Points: no foci; 1 Point: 1 focus; 1.5 Points: 2 foci; 2-2.5 Points: 3-5 foci; 3 Points: 6-9 foci.

[0067] (5) Immunohistochemistry (T Cell/B Cell Analysis, IHC)

[0068] After euthanasia of each 18-week-old animal, the salivary gland was extracted to produce a paraffin block. IHC was performed on one piece from each of the slides of all tested salivary gland sections. As an antibody, anti-CD3 (Abcam Cat. No. ab16669) was used for T cell detection and anti-B220 (BD Cat. No. 550286) was used for B cell detection. After imaging each focus in a slide under a 200× microscope, the positive region of CD3 or B220 stained in brown was masked using Image J software (NIG, MD, USA). The area of CD3 or B220 in the microscopic field with foci was calculated as the number of pixels, the area having no foci was treated as 0, and the average area of CD3 or B220 was compared between groups.

[0069] (6) Flow Cytometry

[0070] In the 18-week-old animal model into which the test drug was injected, cells were separated from blood obtained using a heparin-treated capillary tube, and red blood cells were removed with ACK lysis buffer, suspended in 10% RPMI1640 medium, and then stimulated with PMA, ionomycin, and monensin (BD GolgiStop) for 4 hours. The cells were recovered, washed, stained with fixable viability dye-e780, CD3-Pacific Blue and CD4-PerCP/Cy5.5, subjected to permeabilization and then reacted with IL-17A-FITC antibody. Lymphocytes in FSC-A vs. SSC-A and live cells (e780 negative) in FSC-A vs. fixable viability dye eFluor780 were gated, and CD3+CD4+IL-17A+ cells were analyzed (BD LSRII Fortessa).

TABLE-US-00010 TABLE 10 Sample name Manufacturer Cat. No Dose PMA Sigma-Aldrich P8139  25 ng/mL Ionomycin Sigma-Aldrich I0634 250 ng/mL GolgiStop BD biosciences 554724 0.67 μL/10.sup.6 cells/mL Fixable viability Thermo 65-0865-18 0.1 μL/10.sup.6 cells dye eFlour780 Anti-mouse CD3 Thermo 48-0033-82 0.25 μg/test V450 Anti-mouse CD4 Thermo 45-0042-82 0.25 μg/test PerCP/Cy5.5 Anti-mouse IL-17A BioLegend 506910 0.25 μg/test Alexa488

[0071] (7) Statistical Method

[0072] All data are expressed as mean and standard deviation (mean±SD) and a Mann-Whitney test was performed using a GraphPad PRISM Version 8.2 (GraphPad Software, USA) analysis program for comparison between two groups, namely a vehicle-administered group and a test-substance-administered group. The case of P≤0.05 was determined to be statistically significant.

Example 1: Salivary Tissue Pathology Analysis-H&E Staining Analysis after Administration of B. pseudocatenulatum C-RAPO (KCTC13986BP) and B. bifidum ATT (KCTC13474BP)

[0073] In this example, testing was conducted to evaluate the effect of administration of the selected strains, B. pseudocatenulatum C-RAPO (KCTC13986BP), B. longum RAPO (KCTC13773BP) and B. bifidum ATT (KCTC13474BP) on inflammatory infiltration in salivary gland tissue of NOD/ShiLtJ mice.

[0074] The salivary gland tissue of the 18-week-old mouse was analyzed. After completion of the 18-week-old mouse test, the mice were euthanized and the salivary glands were extracted therefrom to produce a paraffin block. Hematoxylin & Eosin staining was performed on all three salivary gland section slides spaced at a distance of 100 μm or more. Then, areas where foci of 20 or more lymphocytes were observed were imaged at 40× magnification, and the number of foci was counted and was digitized to obtain an inflammation score in accordance with the criteria and comparatively analyzed.

[0075] Inflammation scoring: 0 Points: no foci; 1 Point: 1 focus; 1.5 Points: 2 foci; 2-2.5 Points: 3-5 foci; 3 Points: 6-9 foci. The results of analysis of the number of foci per unit area in salivary gland tissue showed 9±2 in the V group, 5±3 in the C-RAPO group, and 7±4 in the ATT group (FIG. 2).

[0076] FIG. 2 is a graph showing the number of foci per unit area in salivary gland tissue after administration of vehicles and test substances of the present invention. When converting the number of foci to the inflammation score, inflammation scores were 3.2±0.50 for V, 2.3±0.99 for C-RAPO, 3.2±0.49 for RAPO, and 2.8±0.94 for ATT, and the resulting values were expressed as mean±standard deviation (FIG. 3). FIG. 3 is a graph showing an inflammation score converted from the number of foci per unit area in the salivary gland tissue after administration of the vehicles and test substances of the present invention.

[0077] FIG. 4 is an image showing the salivary tissue slide at 40× magnification of the vehicle-administered group (Vehicle) (1, 2 and 3 on the vertical axis in FIG. 4 indicate the sample numbers, the experiment was conducted in triplicate and the same applies to the image below) as a result of salivary tissue pathological analysis of the present invention (H&E). FIG. 5 is an image showing the salivary tissue slide at 40× magnification of the B. pseudocatenulatum C-RAPO (KCTC13986BP)-administered group as the result of salivary tissue pathological analysis of the present invention. FIG. 6 is an image showing the salivary tissue slide at 40× magnification of the B. longum RAPO (KCTC13773BP)-administered group as the result of salivary tissue pathological analysis of the present invention. FIG. is an image showing the salivary tissue slide at 40× magnification of the B. bifidum ATT (KCTC13474BP)-administered group as the result of salivary tissue pathological analysis of the present invention.

[0078] The result of statistical analysis of this experiment demonstrated that therapeutic efficacy for sialoadenitis appeared in the B. pseudocatenulatum C-RAPO (KCTC13986BP)-administered group.

Example 2: Salivary Tissue Pathology Analysis-Analysis of T-Cell/B-Cell Infiltration in Salivary Gland Tissue after Administration of B. pseudocatenulatum C-RAPO (KCTC13986BP) and B. bifidum ATT (KCTC13474BP)

[0079] In this example, the salivary gland tissue of the 18-week-old mice was analyzed to evaluate the effect of administration of the selected strains, B. pseudocatenulatum C-RAPO (KCTC13986BP), B. longum RAPO (KCTC13773BP) and B. bifidum ATT (KCTC13474BP) on infiltration of immune cells (T cells and B cells) in salivary gland tissue of NOD/ShiLtJ mice.

[0080] After completion of the 18-week-old mouse test, the mice were euthanized and the salivary gland was extracted to produce a paraffin block. One of each salivary gland tissue slide was stained by immunohistochemistry (IHC) using a CD3 (T cell marker) or B220 (B cell marker) antibody. After imaging each focus in the slide on a 200× microscope, the region of CD3 (T cell) or B220 (B cell) marked in brown in each focus was calculated as the number of pixels using Image J software (NIG, MD, USA), the area having no foci was represented as “0”, and the average thereof was compared. The representative staining result for each subject is shown one by one.

[0081] Meanwhile, the result of analysis of T cell infiltration area per unit area in salivary gland tissue (FIG. 8) was 755±314.8 pixels for V (control group), 488±277.8 pixels for the B. pseudocatenulatum C-RAPO-administered group, 826±404.5 pixels for the B. longum RAPO-administered group, and 862±384.6 pixels for the B. bifidum ATT-administered group. The result of statistical analysis showed that the Bifidobacterium pseudocatenulatum C-RAPO (KCTC13986BP)-administered group inhibits T cell infiltration in the salivary gland tissue. FIG. 8 shows the result of B cell infiltration in salivary gland tissue. The salivary gland tissue of an 18-week-old mouse was extracted and produced into a paraffin block, the tissue fragments were stained by immunohistochemistry with CD3 antibody and imaged under a microscope at 200× magnification, the positive site was masked in black (left in FIG. 8) using Image J software, and the number of pixels was calculated. The CD3 positive area per unit area was expressed as the mean±standard deviation (right in FIG. 8, ns (non-significant) in the graph means no significance, the same applies to the graph below).

[0082] Meanwhile, the result of analysis of B cell infiltration area per unit area in salivary gland tissue (FIG. 9) was 689±406.9 pixels for V (control group), 331±187.6 pixels for the B. pseudocatenulatum C-RAPO-administered group, 844±527.9 pixels for the B. longum RAPO-administered group, and 753±510.5 pixels for the B. bifidum ATT-administered group. The result of statistical analysis showed that the Bifidobacterium pseudocatenulatum C-RAPO (KCTC13986BP)-administered group inhibits B cell infiltration in the salivary gland tissue (V vs. C-RAPO, *P<0.05). FIG. 9 shows the result of B cell infiltration in salivary gland tissue. The salivary gland tissue of an 18-week-old mouse was extracted and produced into a paraffin block, the tissue fragment was stained by immunohistochemistry (IHC) with B220 antibody and imaged under a microscope at 200× magnification, the positive site was masked in black (left in FIG. 9) using Image J software, and the number of pixels was calculated. The B220 positive area per unit area was expressed as the mean±standard deviation (right in FIG. 9).

[0083] The experimental results described above showed that B. pseudocatenulatum C-RAPO (KCTC13986BP) administered at a dose of 50 mg/kg/day has effects of reducing inflammatory cell infiltration in salivary gland tissue, and reducing infiltration of T and B cells (particularly, significantly reducing B cell infiltration). This demonstrate that B. pseudocatenulatum C-RAPO (KCTC13986BP) has an inhibitory effect against sialoadenitis.

Example 3: Analysis of Saliva Flow Rate after Administration of B. pseudocatenulatum C-RAPO (KCTC13986BP) and B. bifidum ATT (KCTC13474BP)

[0084] In this test, the saliva flow rate per minute was measured and digitized to evaluate the effect of administration of the selected strains, B. pseudocatenulatum C-RAPO (KCTC13986BP), B. longum RAPO (KCTC13773BP) and B. bifidum ATT (KCTC13474BP) on the ability of NOD/ShiLtJ mice to secrete saliva.

[0085] FIG. 10 is a graph showing the result of quantification of the effect on saliva secretion function by measurement of the amount of saliva secreted by NOD/ShiLtJ mice depending on age (weeks) in response to administration of the vehicle and test substances of the present invention.

[0086] In addition, FIG. 11 is a graph showing the amount of saliva secreted by the vehicle group of the present invention as a function of age (weeks), digitized as the amount of saliva secreted by a subject. FIG. 12 is a graph showing the amount of saliva secreted by the C-RAPO group of the present invention as a function of age (weeks) digitized as the amount of saliva secreted by a subject. FIG. 13 is a graph showing the amount of saliva secreted by the RAPO group of the present invention as a function of age (weeks), digitized as the amount of saliva secreted by subject. FIG. 14 is a graph showing the amount of saliva secreted by the ATT group of the present invention as a function of age (weeks), digitized as the amount of saliva secreted by a subject. As can be seen from FIG. 11, the saliva flow rate after vehicle (V) administration was measured at 2-week intervals from 10 weeks to 18 weeks of age, monitoring of saliva flow rate was started from 10 weeks of age, SFR at 10 weeks of age was 0.673±0.12, SFR at 18 weeks of age was 0.489±0.039 μL/g/min, and the saliva flow rate at 18 weeks was significantly decreased compared to the initial saliva flow rate at 10 weeks (FIG. 12, 18w compared to 10w, *p<0.05). These results demonstrated that the saliva flow rate was significantly reduced by the administration of a vehicle (V), and showed that the Sjogren's syndrome model, which should exhibit reduced saliva secretion over time, functions normally.

[0087] In addition, as can be seen from FIG. 12, administration with B. pseudocatenulatum C-RAPO (KCTC13986BP) decreased SFR (more particularly, SFR was 0.672±0.12 μL/g/min at 10 weeks of age, and SFR was 0.520±0.114 μL/g/min at 18 weeks of age), but no statistical significance was detected (ns means no significance). These results indicate that the C-RAPO strain had no significant difference in the amount of secreted saliva at 18 weeks compared to initially, at 10 weeks, and the C-RAPO strain is capable of inhibiting a reduction in the amount of secreted saliva, that is, a reduction in the amount of secreted saliva due to Sjogren's syndrome. In addition, as can be seen from FIG. 13, administration with B. longum RAPO (KCTC 13773BP) decreased SFR (more particularly, SFR was 0.671±0.129 μL/g/min at 10 weeks of age, and was 0.447±0.254 μL/g/min at 18 weeks of age), but the decrease in SFR was statistically significant (FIG. 14, 18w compared to 10w, *p<0.05). These results demonstrated that administration of RAPO did not inhibit reduction in the amount of secreted saliva and thus RAPO is incapable of inhibiting the reduction of the amount of saliva due to Sjogren's syndrome. In addition, as can be seen from FIG. 14, SFR upon administration of B. bifidum ATT (KCTC13474BP) was 0.673±0.133 μL/g/min at 10 weeks of age, and 0.619±0.127 μL/g/min at 18 weeks of age, but no statistical significance was detected (ns means no significance). These results indicate that the ATT strain had no significant difference in the amount of secreted saliva at 18 weeks compared to the initial saliva flow rate at 10 weeks, and the ATT strain is capable of inhibiting a reduction in the amount of secreted saliva, that is, a reduction in the amount of secreted saliva due to Sjogren's syndrome.

[0088] The result of the saliva flow rate experiment showed that administration with a dose of 50 mg/kg/day of B. pseudocatenulatum C-RAPO (KCTC13986BP) and B. bifidum ATT (KCTC13474BP) inhibits the reduction of saliva flow rate.

[0089] It can be seen from the above results that the strains B. pseudocatenulatum C-RAPO (KCTC13986BP) and B. bifidum ATT (KCTC13474BP) of the present invention have the effects of inhibiting sialoadenitis, which is a symptom of the Sjogren's syndrome, and inhibiting a reduction in saliva flow rate.

[0090] As is apparent from the foregoing, the Bifidobacterium pseudocatenulatum C-RAPO (KCTC13986BP) and Bifidobacterium bifidum ATT (KCTC13474BP) strains according to the present invention have the effects of inhibiting sialoadenitis, which is a symptom of the Sjogren's syndrome, and inhibiting a reduction in saliva flow rate. Based on this, the present invention can be used for prevention or treatment of Sjogren's syndrome and enables development of food, health food and pharmaceuticals.

[0091] Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been disclosed for illustrative purposes, those skilled in the art will appreciate that various modifications, additions and substitutions are possible, without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention as disclosed in the accompanying claims.