Immune-modulating properties of horse milk administered to mice sensitized to cow milk

Abstract

The aim of this study was to examine immune adaptive changes, the expression of innate biomarkers and variations in intestinal microbiota composition after horse-milk administration in BALB/c mice, which were sensitized intraperitoneally using cow β-lactoglobulin and α-casein with aluminum adjuvant. We measured serum antibody IgE levels and the expression of MCP-1, IL-4, and TNF-α in duodenal samples. Changes in immune cell populations in peripheral blood were quantified using flow cytometry, and intestinal microbiota composition was assessed using real-time PCR. We found that horse-milk administration decreased serum IgE levels in sensitized mice. The groups that received horse milk showed an increased population of regulatory T cells (CD4Foxp3). Horse-milk administration decreased the mRNA levels of IL-4 and resulted in higher transcripts of TLR-4 in all treatment groups; however, the levels of MCP-1, TNF-α, and TLR-2 were unaltered. After horse-milk treatment, we observed a positive effect, with increased numbers of intestinal Bifidobacterium spp. We observed immune-modulating properties of horse milk, but future studies should focus on testing horse-milk processing, such as fermentation and destroying most allergenic epitopes to continue research under clinical conditions.

Administration of Inulin-Supplemented Gluten-Free Diet Modified Calcium Absorption and Caecal Microbiota in Rats in a Calcium-Dependent Manner

“…Real-time PCR method with the use of universal and group- and genus-specific primers was performed according to the procedure described by Fotschki et al [ 34 ]. Briefly, a reference standard containing DNA isolated from known number of intestinal bacteria cells was prepared.…”

Equine Milk Production and Valorization of Marginal Areas—A Review

“…Bioactive peptides are also encrypted in the sequence of milk proteins and are released from them following enzymatic proteolysis, under gastrointestinal digestion or during fermentation. These dietary components exert health promoting, i.e., antimicrobial, antihypertensive, antioxidant, antithrombotic, immunomodulatory, antiproliferative, and opioid activities in the organism, beyond their nutritive value [56][57][58][59]. It should be noted, however, that technological treatments carried out to prolong milk shelf life could considerably affect structure, as well as the functional and nutritive properties of milk components, especially peptides and proteins, that might lead to a greater susceptibility to infection and/or the development of allergies [60].…”

Alergia Ao Leite De Vaca: Mecanismo, Diagnóstico E Perspecivas Biotecnológicas

“…Em adição, pode-se dizer que as deficiências nutricionais prejudicam o crescimento (21). Por essa razão, torna-se necessário o desenvolvimento de novos alimentos funcionais adaptados aos consumidores alérgicos, uma vez que alergia ao leite de vaca trata-se de uma reação imunológica adversa (22).…”

“…Dentre as manifestações clínicas gastrointestinais causadas pela alergia a proteínas do leite podem ser citadas dores abdominais, perda de apetite, doença de refluxo gastroesofágico, sangue nas fezes, diarreia e constipação (22).…”

“…Outros estudos discutem que crianças alérgicas ao leite de vaca foram capazes de estimular a produção de IgE a partir de epítopos de proteínas do leite de ovelha, cabra e búfala. Discute-se ainda que o polimorfismo dessas proteínas provoque reação imunogênica e reatividade cruzada (22). Há concordância de que a alergia as proteínas do leite estejam limitadas a suspensão da ingesta de leite (43).…”