Coconut milk regulates the allergic response in Balb/c mice sensitized with whey proteins

Abstract

In this work the effect of coconut milk on mice sensitized to cow's milk proteins was evaluated. Balb/c mice treated orally for twenty eight days with coconut milk were sensitized intraperitoneally with β-lactoglobulin (β-Lg) or α-Lactoglobulin (α-Lac). We used Ussing chamber to analyze ex vivo electrical parameters characterizing the intestinal tissue of mice by measuring the variations of the short current circuit Isc (μA/cm2) as well as the epithelial conductance (G). Jejunal fragments of sensitized and treated mice were mounted in Ussing chamber and stimulated by the deposit of β-Lg or α-Lac. Symptom scores were determined after in vivo challenge to β-Lg or α-Lac. Intestinal damage was assessed by histological analysis. Coconut milk influ-enced the electrophysiological parameters by significantly decreasing the short-circuit current (Isc) (p < 0.001) and the epithelial conductance ((p< 0.01 and (p < 0.001, respectively). Moreover, in coconut milk-treated mice, no significant clinical symptoms were observed. Analysis of histological sections revealed that coconut milk reduced the microscopic lesions induced by β-Lg or α-Lac sensitization. We speculate that the administration of coconut milk could prevent the systemic and anaphylactic responses in sensitized mice.