Dietary whey protein hydrolysate suppresses development of atopic dermatitis-like skin lesions induced by mite antigen in NC/Nga mice.
BACKGROUND
Oral administration of enzymatic hydrolysate of cow's milk whey protein (WPH) has been reported to produce an anti-inflammatory effect. Since inflammation plays a role in dermatitis of allergic disease, we examined the influence of WPH on the development of atopic dermatitis (AD)-like skin lesions, induced in NC/Nga mice by the mite antigen Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus (Dp).


METHODS
AD-like skin lesions were induced on the pinnae and backs of NC/Nga mice by daily application of Dp for 4 weeks. Mice were fed cow's milk casein (control), WPH or casein protein hydrolysate (CPH) diets for 2 weeks prior to Dp application. Clinical skin conditions were evaluated periodically by a clinical severity score, total serum IgE and soluble E-selectin levels were measured by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).


RESULTS
WPH-fed mice showed significantly less AD-like skin lesions than those fed casein diets at 2 and 4 weeks after Dp application. In contrast, CPH-fed mice had manifestations in a similar manner as casein-fed mice did, and did not show an inhibitory effect. Serum soluble E-selectin levels, known as a marker of disease activity in AD patients, were significantly lower in the WPH diet group.


CONCLUSIONS
Our results suggest that in addition to its hypoallergenicity an anti-inflammatory function, dietary WPH might be useful for reducing the severity of AD-like skin lesions.
Shimizu
Nobuko
N
Food Science Institute, Division of Research and Development, Meiji Dairies Corporation, Kanagawa, Japan. NOBUKO_SHIMIZU@MEIJI-MILK.COM
Dairiki
Kazuo
K
Ogawa
Saori
S
Kaneko
Tetsuo
T
D000284:Administration, Oral; D000818:Animals; D000941:Antigens / Q000276:immunology*; D003876:Dermatitis, Atopic / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D040002:Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus / Q000276:immunology*; D005260:Female; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D051379:Mice; D008894:Milk Proteins / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D011492:Protein Hydrolysates / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000067816:Whey Proteins
D000941:Antigens; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D008894:Milk Proteins; D011492:Protein Hydrolysates; D000067816:Whey Proteins