Polyunsaturated fatty acids affect intestinal anaphylactic response in BALB/c mice sensitized with β-lactoglobulin

Objective. - Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) have immunomodulatory proprieties and their use in the prevention and treatment of allergy symptoms is proposed as a therapeutic option. The present study investigates the effect of n-3 and n-6 PUFA on intestinal anaphylactic response in mice allergic to beta-lactoglobulin (beta-lg), a major allergen in cow milk proteins. Material and methods. - Female BALB/c mice were fed by gavage for 15 days with either fish oil (FO) (n-3 PUFA) or corn oil (CO) (n-6 PUFA) at different concentrations (0.6%, 1%, 1.5% V/W) and were then sensitized with beta-lg. To study the local allergic manifestations in the intestine, electrophysiological parameters (short-current circuit, Isc, in mu A/cm(2) and tissue conductance, G, in mS/cm(2)) were measured in jejunum segments in an Ussing chamber, while morphological changes were assessed by histological analysis. Results. - FO at 0.6% V/W significantly decreased Isc (mu A/cm(2)) values (P < 0.05). All other doses of both oils proved ineffective. The three doses of FO (but not CO) significantly reduced tissue conductance (mS/cm2) values (P < 0.05, P < 0.001). Histological analysis showed morphological improvement in all groups with increased villus height (P < 0.01, P < 0.001). Conclusion. - Low-dose PUFA supplementation, especially with n-3 PUFA, considerably reduced part of the intestinal damage resulting from sensitization with beta-lg in BALB/c mice. (C) 2018 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.