A cheese-containing diet modulates immune responses and alleviates dextran sodium sulfate–induced colitis in mice

Abstract

Diet has a significant effect on immune and inflammatory responses. To date, no studies have described how consumption of a diet containing a relatively high amount of cheese affects immune responses and the inflammatory status of the body. We examined these responses in normal mice and mice with dextran sodium sulfate (DSS)–induced colitis associated with increased inflammatory responses, using a diet containing approximately 44% of a whole cheese powder and a diet containing casein, lard, and corn oil as the control. In normal mice, consumption of the cheese-containing diet induced regulatory T cells (Treg), which regulate immune and inflammatory responses, and suppressed the production of IL-17, IL-4, and IL-10 in Peyer's patch cells from the intestine. The Treg population and cytokine production were not altered in spleen cells. In mice with DSS-induced colitis, consumption of the cheese-containing diet alleviated the symptoms of colitis, as evidenced by prevention of body weight loss and colon length shortening, and inhibition of an increase in the disease activity index, which includes diarrhea and fecal bleeding. This relief of clinical symptoms was also associated with decreased production of proinflammatory cytokines (IL-17 and IL-6) and increased production of the antiinflammatory cytokine transforming growth factor-β1 in Peyer's patch cells. The Treg population was reduced by consumption of the cheese-containing diet in Peyer's patch cells and spleen cells, which might reflect the alleviated symptoms of colitis. Consumption of the cheese-containing diet compared with the control diet enhanced antiinflammatory and immune regulatory responses in normal mice and in a DSS-colitis mouse model.