Characterisation of immune mediator release during the immediate response to segmental mucosal challenge in the jejunum of patients with food allergy.
BACKGROUND
Food allergy is a common complaint among patients with a broad spectrum of abdominal and extra-abdominal symptoms that must be distinguished from other more common non-immunological food intolerances.


OBJECTIVE
To investigate whether human intestinal hypersensitivity reactions are associated with detectable release of inflammatory mediators from activated cells, which may serve as a biological marker of true allergic reactions.


METHODS
In eight patients with food allergy and seven healthy volunteers, a closed-segment perfusion technique was used to investigate the effects of jejunal food challenge on luminal release of tryptase, histamine, prostaglandin D(2), eosinophil cationic protein, peroxidase activity, and water flux.


RESULTS
Intraluminal administration of food antigens induced a rapid increase in intestinal release of tryptase, histamine, prostaglandin D(2), and peroxidase activity (p<0.05 v basal period) but not eosinophil cationic protein. The increased release of these mediators was associated with a notable water secretory response.


CONCLUSIONS
These results suggest that human intestinal hypersensitivity reactions are characterised by prompt activation of mast cells and other immune cells, with notable and immediate secretion of water and inflammatory mediators into the intestinal lumen. Analysis of the profile of markers released into the jejunum after food provocation may be useful for the objective diagnosis of food allergy.
Santos
J
J
Digestive System Research Unit, Hospital General Vall d'Hebron, Autonomous University of Barcelona, Spain.
Bayarri
C
C
Saperas
E
E
Nogueiras
C
C
Antolín
M
M
Mourelle
M
M
Cadahia
A
A
Malagelada
J R
JR
D000328:Adult; D000485:Allergens / Q000276:immunology; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000032:analysis; D001798:Blood Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D001834:Body Water / Q000378:metabolism; D053818:Chymases; D047091:Eosinophil Granule Proteins; D005260:Female; D005512:Food Hypersensitivity / Q000378:metabolism*; D006636:Histamine Release / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D018836:Inflammation Mediators / Q000378:metabolism*; D007583:Jejunum / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D009195:Peroxidase / Q000378:metabolism; D015230:Prostaglandin D2 / Q000378:metabolism; D012260:Ribonucleases; D012697:Serine Endopeptidases / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism; D016037:Single-Blind Method; D053802:Tryptases
D000485:Allergens; D015415:Biomarkers; D001798:Blood Proteins; D047091:Eosinophil Granule Proteins; D018836:Inflammation Mediators; D009195:Peroxidase; D012260:Ribonucleases; D012697:Serine Endopeptidases; C083294:chymase 2; D053818:Chymases; D053802:Tryptases; D015230:Prostaglandin D2