Changes in inflammatory factors in the Brown Norway rat model of food allergy

Background The role of serum S100A8/A9 in intestinal inflammation has been confirmed, and its role in food allergy is currently being investigated. Objective To explore the levels of S100A8/A9 and inflammatory factors, including Toll-like receptors 4 (TLR4), Nuclear transcription factors (NF-kappa B) and Tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha), in mild food allergies. Methods Eighty 3-week-old male Brown Norway rats were used. Forty rats were randomly assigned to the ovalbumin-sensitized experimental group, while 40 rats were assigned to the normal saline sham-sensitized control group. Body weight and length and the levels of serum ovalbumin-specific IgE (OVA-IgE), histamine, Th1-associated and Th2-associated factors, S100A8/A9 and inflammation-associated cytokines were compared. Results Through the evaluation of OVA-IgE level and Th1/Th2 balance in the experimental group, a successful IgE-mediated food allergy model was constructed. Compared with the control group, the experimental group had higher serum S100A8/A9 levels on days 21, 28, 35 and 42 (all P < 0.05); higher TLR4 levels on days 28, 35 and 42 (all P < 0.05); higher TNF-alpha levels on days 28, 35 and 42 (all P < 0.05); higher NF-kappa B levels on days 35 and 42 (all P < 0.05); and higher IL-1 beta and IL-6 levels on days 7 to 42 (all P < 0.05). Moreover, positive correlations were found between the serum levels of S100A8/A9 and inflammation-associated cytokines [TNF-alpha: r = 0.378, P = 0.039; IL-1 beta: r = 0.679, P = 0.000; IL-6: r = 0.590, P = 0.001]. Conclusion S100A8/A9 and inflammatory-related factors, including TLR4, NF-kappa B, TNF-alpha, IL-6 and IL-1 beta, is closely related to food allergies. Moreover, immune and inflammatory factors interact with each other in food allergies, which may provide insight into food allergy causes and treatments.

Automated summary

The study revealed a close relationship between S100A8/A9 and inflammatory-related factors in mild food allergies, successfully constructing an IgE-mediated food allergy model. In the experimental group, levels of S100A8/A9, TLR4, TNF-alpha, NF-kappa B, IL-1 beta, and IL-6 were significantly higher compared to the control group.