Probiotics can change infant gut bacteria to prevent cow milk allergy: Study

By Eliot Beer

- Last updated on GMT

Probiotics can change infant gut bacteria to prevent cow milk allergy: Study

Related tags Gut flora

Infants with allergies to cow’s milk can become tolerant after treatment with hydrolysed casein and a probiotic formula which alters their gut microbiome, according to a new study.

The study, published in The ISME Journal​, also found the microbiomes of infants with cow’s milk allergy (CMA) are significantly more diverse than those without the allergy, but without some key bacterial strains.

Participants who became tolerant to cow’s milk had increases in levels of bacteria producing butyrate, a short-chain fatty acid which helps maintain homeostasis in the gut, but still maintained a very different bacterial makeup to healthy participants.

Probiotic and casein formula

The researchers gave a formula feed containing “extensively hydrolysed​” casein (EHCF), along with the probiotic Lactobacillus rhamnosus​ GG (LGG) for some participants, to 19 cow-milk allergic infants aged less than 12 months, then measured the bacterial content of their faecal matter after six months. The team also took faeces samples from a control group of 20 infants without CMA who did not receive the supplements.

Of the 12 infants receiving both EHCF and LGG, all showed enhanced levels of Blautia​, Roseburia​ and Coprococcus​ bacteria, and five became tolerant to cow’s milk. None of the seven infants receiving just EHCF developed a tolerance, but did show enhanced levels of Roseburia​ bacteria alone.

Four of the five newly-tolerant subjects had significantly higher faecal butyrate levels after taking the formula, suggesting greater numbers of butyrate-producing bacteria – but still far lower than the faecal butyrate levels in healthy subjects.

The ability to identify bacterial strains that could be used as novel therapeutics for treating food allergies is a fundamental advance. Translating these findings into clinical treatments is our next goal​,” said Jack Gilbert, associate professor in the Department of Ecology & Evolution at the University of Chicago, and co-author of the study.

CMA infants missing key bacteria

While the gut microbiomes of infants with CMA were more diverse than healthy infants, they lacked particular strains, wrote the study authors: “Bacterial families characteristic of the healthy infant gut (notably, Enterobactericeae and Bifidobacteriaceae) were significantly less abundant in the CMA gut, and were replaced by an increase in Lachnospiraceae and Ruminococcaceae, representing an emergence of Firmicutes (particularly, Clostridiales).

Blautia, Roseburia and Coprococcus were significantly enriched following treatment with EHCF and LGG, but only one genus, Oscillospira, was significantly different between infants that became tolerant and those that remained allergic​,” they added.

The research built on a study published last year, which showed certain bacteria could prevent sensitisation to allergies​. Some of the authors of that study, which was performed on mice, are co-authors of the new paper.

Mouse model work from our laboratory published last year identified a common class of mucus-associated gut bacteria that play a critical role in regulating the access of dietary allergens to the bloodstream. This suggests a novel mechanism by which commensal bacteria regulate allergic responses to food​,” said Cathryn Nagler, Bunning Food Allergy Professor at the University of Chicago and an author of both studies.

 

Source: The ISME Journal

Published online ahead of print, doi:10.1038/ismej.2015.151

Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG-supplemented formula expands butyrate-producing bacterial strains in food allergic infants​”

Authors: R. Berni Canani, N. Sangwan, A. T. Stefka, R. Nocerino, L. Paparo, R. Aitoro, A. Calignano, A. A. Khan, J. A. Gilbert, and C. R. Nagler

Related news

Show more

Related products

show more

Unlock the business potential of the protein trend

Unlock the business potential of the protein trend

Content provided by Valio | 08-Feb-2024 | White Paper

Read our white paper to learn how to overcome taste and texture challenges in protein products — and how to commercialise the protein trend by making delicious...

Custom Microbiome Solutions for Dairy & Alt-Dairy Products

Custom Microbiome Solutions for Dairy & Alt-Dairy Products

Content provided by ADM: Innovation that Feeds the Future | 13-Oct-2023 | White Paper

Backed by clinical studies and perfect for use in dairy and alt-dairy applications alike, ADM’s Active Lifestyle probiotic blend, BPL1™ probiotic, and...

Consumers Want Dairy—and More!

Consumers Want Dairy—and More!

Content provided by ADM: Innovation that Feeds the Future | 06-Oct-2023 | White Paper

In the thriving dairy industry, you’re well aware of the surging demand for both dairy and non-dairy products.

Related suppliers

2 comments

Probiotics for the yet immune-un-ripe baby ?

Posted by Klaus J.S., M.D.,

Probiotics sre here suggested to be used to adapt the baby to the modern Cows' Milk-Proteins ??

The Cows by genetic nature developed on feeds as Herbivores and were globally and genetically adapted to C3-Grass
and C3-forest-leaves, -sprouts and -buds.

With increased demand for doubling and trebling the Milk-Production (20 -> 60+ L per day) the Cow's organisms
tend to excrete the mostly CORN-derived Starch of the'energy-rich' C4-Plant-sort product by all of her body's openings:
via the protein-rich Saliva +++. via sticky Sweat (attracting the flies), via copious enteral liquids as
diarrhoeic losses, protein- & glucose-rich urine and vaginal discharges 6 most-copious Milkproduction,
rich in Lipids and Lactose.
But such energy-rich-feeding is unhealthy for the Cow's Organism: after 3-4 years they have to be "exchanged"
(before they turn diabetic) & their Carcasses still can be offered as "healthy marbeled beef".

The next cow can likewise only tolerate that energy-rich feed based on Aspartam-enriched & Melasse-enriched C4-Products
as planned for 3-4, max.5 years.

No wonder our Juveniles already come up with Obesity-related "Diabesity"-Conditions.

If EU's Mothers would breastfeed their infants more, the Milk-allergies (due to bacteria colonizing the guts as
capable to process those heavier & "energy-enriched" proteins (increasing brown fat; to be stored !!) we would soon
have to treat less milk-allergic and less diabesity-children.
All new bacteria like Yoghurts- and Probiotics-producing organisms alter the Cows' Milk-Amino-Acids, (L-AAs --> D-AAs)
to maaking the babies tolerant for that sorts bacterial Protein cannot be a longterm healthy information
for the immune-system of the infants, if expected to live a healthy and happy long life.

Nobody would suggest to feed babies on Cheese, processed fermented Ham or Jerky-Saussages either !

Report abuse

probiotics in formula

Posted by rosemary allen,

best thing for a baby is HUMAN breast milk, even with an allergy, the mother can avoid cows milk whilst lactating, and the baby will still get all the other benefits of it's mother's milk. I know this because 2 of my daughters have done it.
See item "Europe has world's lowest breastfeeding rates". And" Nestle backing WHO breastfeeding stance" - can't believe that.
Cows milk for calves, ewes milk for lambs human milk for humans - simple. Corporate, media and social pressure has made formula the choice of so many ill-informed women.
You're welcome to publish my email on this site.

Report abuse

Follow us

Products

View more

Webinars