A specific mixture of short-chain galacto-oligosaccharides and long-chain fructo-oligosaccharides induces a beneficial immunoglobulin profile in infants at high risk for allergy.
BACKGROUND
It has been suggested that human breast milk oligosaccharides play a role in the development of the immune system in infants, and may consequently inhibit the onset of allergy. A specific prebiotic mixture of short-chain galacto-oligosaccharides and long-chain fructo-oligosaccharides (GOS/FOS) has been shown to reduce the incidence of atopic dermatitis (AD) at 6 months of age in infants at risk for allergy.


OBJECTIVE
This study was aimed to analyze the effect of GOS/FOS on the immune response in these infants.


METHODS
In a double-blind randomized placebo-controlled study, infants received a hypoallergenic whey formula with either 8 g/l GOS/FOS in a 9 : 1 ratio (IMMUNOFORTIS) or 8 g/l maltodextrine (placebo) for 6 months. At 3 months of age, children were vaccinated with Hexavac against a.o. diphteria, tetanus, polio (DTP). At 6 months of age, plasma samples were collected from 84 infants (verum group n = 41, placebo group n = 43). Levels of total immunoglobulins (Ig) and of cow's milk protein (CMP-) and DTP-specific Ig were measured.


RESULTS
GOS/FOS supplementation led to a significant reduction in the plasma level of total IgE, IgG1, IgG2 and IgG3, whereas no effect on IgG4 was observed. CMP-specific IgG1 was significantly decreased. DTP-specific Ig levels were not affected.


CONCLUSIONS
This study shows that GOS/FOS supplementation induces a beneficial antibody profile. GOS/FOS reduces the total Ig response and modulates the immune response towards CMP, while leaving the response to vaccination intact. This suggests that oral GOS/FOS supplementation is a safe method to restrain the atopic march.
Department of Dermatology/Allergology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
E
E
van Hoffen
B
B
Ruiter
J
J
Faber
L
L
M'Rabet
E F
EF
Knol
B
B
Stahl
S
S
Arslanoglu
G
G
Moro
G
G
Boehm
J
J
Garssen
D000485:Allergens / Q000276:immunology; D000818:Animals; D003876:Dermatitis, Atopic / Q000276:immunology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D006801:Humans; D006967:Hypersensitivity / Q000276:immunology; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000097:blood; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000097:blood; D007223:Infant; D041943:Infant Formula / Q000737:chemistry*; D008892:Milk / Q000276:immunology; D008895:Milk, Human / Q000737:chemistry; D009844:Oligosaccharides / Q000276:immunology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012307:Risk Factors
D000485:Allergens; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D009844:Oligosaccharides; D007073:Immunoglobulin E