β-lactoglobulin hydrolysates by L.plantarum AHQ-14 and L.bulgaricus BD0390 alleviate allergic responses to β-lactoglobulin in sensitized mice

Abstract

The β-lactoglobulin (β-Lg) from cow whey protein is highly allergenic. β-Lg allergy often leads to digestive allergies or allergic gastroenteritis, damages intestinal micro ecological balance, and impacts on infant growth and health seriously. Milk protein can be partially degraded by lactic acid bacteria (LAB) and its allergenicity can be decreased to some extent. The immunological consequence of hydrolyzed β-Lg by L.plantarum AHQ-14 (H14) or L.bulgaricus BD0390 (H390) was investigated in a sensitized mouse model. BALB/c mice were stimulated with β-Lg or β-Lg hydrolysate sensitization, followed by oral stimulation of high doses of β-Lg or β-Lg hydrolysate sensitization. The results showed that β-Lg stimulated mice had increased the level of total IgE and IgG. Conversely, mice stimulated with H14 or H390 inhibited the allergic symptoms and reduced serum IgE/IgG levels. The H14 and H390 groups also decreased concentrations of mast cell protease-1 (mMCP-1) and plasma histamine (HIS), induced T helper (Th) 1 or T regulatory cells to regulate Th1/Th2 immune balance. Mice stimulated with H14 or H390 showed no signs of intestinal inflammation. They kept normal cytokine levels of IL-4 and IL-10 and increased IFN-γ production. Thus, H14 and H390 protected and avoided clinical allergy symptoms in sensitized mice, and have the potential to be used for β-Lg allergy to provide safe and effective treatment for infants with milk allergy.