Perinatal and Postweaning Exposure to Galactooligosaccharides/Inulin Prebiotics Induced Biomarkers Linked to Tolerance Mechanism in a Mouse Model of Strong Allergic Sensitization

Food allergies are increasing, and no treatment exists, thus enhancing interest in prebiotic strategies. This study aimed to analyze the preventive effects of prebiotic feeding during perinatal and postweaning periods in a mouse model of allergy by studying biomarkers related to tolerance (IgG2a, IgA, IFN-gamma, TGF-beta, and IL-10), to allergy (IgE, IgG1, IL-4, IL-17, symptoms), and to microbiota (propionate and MyD88). Balb/c mice, both dams and their pups, were fed a diet supplemented with (+Prb) or without (-Prb) GOS/inulin prebiotics. Mice were then sensitized with allergens. Regardless of diet, sensitized mice exhibited similar levels of IgE, IgG1, CD-23, IL-4, IL-17, and symptoms. However, in comparison to -Prb-sensitized mice, +Prb-sensitized mice displayed higher concentrations of total IgG2a (6669 +/- 1788 vs 3696 +/- 1326 fluorescence units, p < 0.005), specific IgA (285 +/- 26 vs 156 +/- 9 fluorescence units, p < 0.01), IFN-gamma (3194 +/- 424 vs 1853 +/- 434 pg/mL, p < 0.01), IL-10 (777 +/- 87 vs 95 +/- 136 pg/mL, p < 0.005), TGF-beta (4853 +/- 1959 vs 243 +/- 444 pg/mL, p < 0.01), MyD88 (0.033 +/- 0.019 vs 0.009 +/- 0.004 relative expression, p < 0.01), and propionate (4.15 +/- 0.8 vs 2.9 +/- 1.15 mu mol, p < 0.05). In a mouse model of allergy, prebiotic exposure during perinatal and postweaning periods induced the highest expression of biomarkers related to tolerance without affecting biomarkers related to allergy.