Dietary supplementation with specific oligosaccharide mixtures decreases parameters of allergic asthma in mice.
Specific mixtures of prebiotic oligosaccharides showed immune modulatory effects in previous murine vaccination experiments, suggesting a shift towards T-helper 1 (Th1) immunity. These mixtures consisted of short-chain galacto-oligosaccharides (scGOS) and long-chain fructo-oligosaccharides (lcFOS) in a 9:1 ratio (Immunofortis), with or without pectin-derived acidic oligosaccharides (pAOS). To investigate whether these mixtures could suppress Th2-related responses, they were tested in an ovalbumin (OVA)-induced model for experimental allergic asthma in BALB/c mice. Supplementation with two mixtures of scGOS/lcFOS and scGOS/lcFOS/pAOS at approximately 1% (w/w% net oligosaccharides) in the diet, starting two weeks before OVA sensitization and lasting until the end of the experiment, decreased of several parameters of allergic asthma. The OVA-induced airway inflammation and hyperresponsiveness was significantly suppressed by both mixtures. Moreover, OVA-specific IgE titers were decreased by more than 25%, although this effect was not significant. The effects of the oligosaccharide mixture with pAOS appeared to be more pronounced than the effects of the scGOS/lcFOS mixture without pAOS, but a direct comparison between the mixtures was not made. Overall, the results further support the hypothesis that specific mixtures of oligosaccharides modulate the Th1/Th2 balance by enhancing Th1-related and suppressing Th2-related parameters.
Vos
A P
AP
Department of Biomedical Research, Section Immunology, Numico Research, Wageningen, The Netherlands. paul.vos@numico-research.nl
van Esch
B C
BC
Stahl
B
B
M'Rabet
L
L
Folkerts
G
G
Nijkamp
F P
FP
Garssen
J
J
D000818:Animals; D001249:Asthma / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D001985:Bronchial Provocation Tests; D001992:Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid / Q000166:cytology; D002452:Cell Count; D004040:Dietary Carbohydrates / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D005630:Fructans / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology; D005685:Galactans / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology; D007114:Immunization; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology; D007155:Immunologic Factors / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology; D008168:Lung / Q000187:drug effects / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D016210:Methacholine Chloride / Q000494:pharmacology; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D009844:Oligosaccharides / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D010047:Ovalbumin / Q000276:immunology; D010368:Pectins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology; D012130:Respiratory Hypersensitivity / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000517:prevention & control
D004040:Dietary Carbohydrates; D005630:Fructans; D005685:Galactans; D007155:Immunologic Factors; D009844:Oligosaccharides; D016210:Methacholine Chloride; D007073:Immunoglobulin E; D010368:Pectins; D010047:Ovalbumin