Dietary Carotenoids Inhibit Oral Sensitization and the Development of Food Allergy

Abstract

Type-I allergic disorders and particularly food hypersensitivities are becoming increasingly common worldwide. This study investigated whether dietary enrichment with carotenoids inhibited oral sensitization to an antigen and the development of food allergies. The effects of a diet high in carotenoids were investigated in B10A mice that were orally sensitized to ovalbumin (OVA). The serum titers of OVA-specific immunoglobulin E (IgE), IgG1, and IgG2a were inhibited in mice fed ad libitum on a diet high in alpha- or beta-carotene compared to the control mice when orally sensitized to OVA. High alpha- and beta-carotene diets inhibited the immediate reduction in body temperature and rise in serum histamine associated with active systemic anaphylaxis in OVA-sensitized B10A mice. After re-stimulation with OVA in vitro, the production of T-helper 2-type cytokines by splenocytes from mice fed a diet high in carotenoids was lower than in control mice. Furthermore, the proportion of CD4(+) CD103(+) T cells in Peyer's patches of mice fed a carotenoid-rich diet was significantly lower than in control mice. These results suggest that an increased oral intake of carotenoids inhibits OVA-specific IgE and IgG1 production and antigen-induced anaphylactic responses by inhibiting specific T-cell activation in the mucosal immune system. A diet high in carotenoids might therefore prevent the development of food allergies.

Allergenic responses of red kidney bean (Phaseolus vulgaris cv chitra) polypeptides in BALB/c mice recognized by bronchial asthma and allergic rhinitis patients

“…7B). Decreased body temperatures reflect the severity of systemic anaphylaxis in mice (Sato et al, 2010).…”

Glyceroglycolipids Affect Uptake of Carotenoids Solubilized in Mixed Micelles by Human Intestinal Caco‐2 Cells

“…Fruits and vegetables are major dietary sources of carotenoids, which have been reported to show anti-oxidant activities [1,2] and other characteristic biological activities including anti-allergic [3,4], anti-cancer [5], anti-inflammatory [6,7], and anti-obesity [8,9] effects. Thus, the activities of dietary carotenoids have attracted a great deal of attention in terms of human health.…”

Effects of Mixed Micellar Lipids on Carotenoid Uptake by Human Intestinal Caco-2 Cells

“…Carotenoids have been reported to have antioxidant activities 1,2) and other biological activities, including anti-allergic, 3,4) anti-cancer, 5,6) and anti-obesity 7,8) actions in cultured cells and experimental animals. The results of epidemiological and clinical studies also suggest beneficial effects of dietary carotenoids for the prevention of degenerative diseases in humans.…”