Open AccessThe effects of probiotics supplementation timing on an ovalbumin‐sensitized rat model
Author(s) -
Huang Juan,
Zhong Yan,
Cai Wei,
Zhang Hongbo,
Tang Wenjing,
Chen Bing
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
fems immunology & medical microbiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1574-695X
pISSN - 0928-8244
DOI - 10.1111/j.1574-695x.2010.00727.x
Subject(s) - ovalbumin , sensitization , immunoglobulin e , immunology , immune system , cytokine , eosinophil , mesenteric lymph nodes , allergy , medicine , food allergy , immunoglobulin a , biology , immunoglobulin g , antibody , asthma
The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of oral probiotic bacteria administration at different times on ovalbumin‐sensitized rats. Brown‐Norway (BN) rats were orally sensitized with ovalbumin for 6 weeks. Probiotics were administered before the initial sensitization (prevention group) or at the end of sensitization period (treatment group). In whole‐course intervention group, probiotics were administered 2 weeks before the initial sensitization until 1 week after the end of sensitization period. Ovalbumin‐immunoglobulin E (IgE) level, intestinal barrier function and immune responses were analyzed. The positive control group had a significantly increased ovalbumin‐IgE level ( P <0.05), impaired intestinal barrier function and skewed T‐helper 1 (Th1)/Th2 cytokine balance compared with the negative control group. In probiotics prevention and whole‐course intervention groups, the infiltration of inflammatory cells (eosinophil and mast cells) in small intestinal mucosa was significantly lower ( P <0.05), and the ratio of cytokine interferon‐γ/interleukin‐4 produced by spleen and mesenteric lymph nodes significantly higher ( P <0.05) than in the positive control group, which suggested a cytokine profile inclined to Th1. Both probiotics prevention and prebiotics treatment could attenuate food allergic response. Probiotics prevention tends to modulate the immune response, whereas probiotics treatment has a more obvious effect in enhancing intestinal integrity.