Ascia-p4: perinatal exposure to gos/inulin prebiotics prevent food allergy by promoting tolerance and protecting intestine

Food allergies (FA) are increasing and prevention strategies are non-existent. They are linked to imbalance of microbiota and immune system. Fibers as prebiotics have been proposed to restore this balance and seem to be one alternative to prevent or reduce allergies, particularly during infancy. In this context, we evaluated early nutritional intervention with prebiotics, via the mother during pregnancy and lactation (perinatal), to prevent food allergic risk in mice. Pregnant and lactating mice were exposed or not to GOS/Inulin prebiotics. Then, pups were intraperitoneally sensitized and then orally exposed to wheat allergen to mimic FA. Phenotypic and blood markers of allergy, immune cells and microbiota were analyzed. In mice exposed to GOS/Inulin prebiotics via their mothers, we observed a decrease of FA symptoms associated with a fall of allergic markers (IgE), a rise of tolerance markers (IgA) and a protection from the alteration of intestinal permeability and epithelium. Immunity was also modified by prebiotics as shown by the decrease of IL-4 and IL-5 productions and the increase of IFN-γ and TGF-β secretions associated with a rise of T regulatory cells in gut lymphoid organs. Prebiotics also induced a strong modification of mother mice intestinal microbiota especially for Lactobacillus that was the only one being transferred to pups. Prebiotics supplemented diet during perinatal period protects pups against FA by decreasing levels of allergic markers, clinical symptoms and intestinal permeability. Moreover, prebiotics also modulate immune reaction during allergy toward tolerance and modify intestinal microbiota. Now, we want to confirm these results in humans by two clinical trials: SYMBA (AUSTRALIA) and PREGRALL (FRANCE).