Exposure to a Galactooligosaccharides/Inulin Prebiotic Mix at Different Developmental Time Points Differentially Modulates Immune Responses in Mice

Prebiotics constitute emerging tools to alleviate immune pathologies. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of prebiotic exposure during perinatal and postweaning periods on immune and gut regulations. Mice were fed either a galactooligosaccharides/inulin prebiotic mix-enriched diet or a control diet during the perinatal and/or postweaning periods. Biomarkers related to gut barrier function (SCFA, heat shock proteins, zonula occludens protein-1, and mucin-2) and immune mechanisms (IgA, IgE, IgG1, IgG2a, IL-10, TGF-beta, IL-4, IL-17A, and IFN-gamma) were analyzed. The milk of dams fed the prebiotic diet was more concentrated in both IgA and TGF-beta when prebiotics were introduced during both the perinatal and postweaning periods; IL-10, IgA, and IgG2a were increased in pups; and expression of intestinal markers was more pronounced. Postweaning exposure to prebiotics alone induced higher INF-gamma and TGF-beta levels, whereas IgA levels fell. Combined exposure periods (perinatal/postweaning) to prebiotics increased tolerance-related immunoglobulins in pups and reinforced gut barrier functions.