Scientists have linked the composition of the microbiome to the severity of food allergies

The composition of the intestinal microbiome can affect intestinal permeability and the severity of food allergies. This conclusion was reached by American scientists based on the results of experiments on mice. This was reported on July 31 in the journal Medical Xpress.

Increased intestinal permeability is called a violation of the barrier function of the mucous membrane, in which various molecules pass through it more easily. In popular sources, this condition is sometimes referred to as "leaky intestines," but in the scientific and medical literature, it is preferable to use the term "increased intestinal permeability."

The authors compared two groups of mice with different microbiome composition. After the artificial formation of food allergies, relatively mild manifestations were observed in animals from one group, while the second group more often developed severe diarrhea. The mice with the more severe reaction also had increased intestinal permeability.

Immune cell analysis showed that these animals had more Th2 cells involved in the development of an allergic response and fewer regulatory T cells, or Treg. The latter help to restrain an excessive immune response and maintain tolerance to food antigens.

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The scientists then placed the animals from the two groups together. After the microbiome change, mice that had previously experienced milder symptoms began to react more strongly to the allergen. They also had increased intestinal permeability and changed the ratio of immune cells.

Scientists have yet to determine which bacteria or their functions are responsible for the differences in allergic reactions. The authors also intend to find out how a violation of the intestinal barrier affects immune cells that recognize food allergens.

The study was conducted on mice, so its results cannot be directly transferred to humans. The work does not yet prove that changing the diet, taking probiotics or other ways of influencing the microbiome can alleviate food allergies in patients.

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On July 26, Medical Xpress reported on the effect of the diet on cognitive functions. According to the publication, limiting daily meals to eight to nine hours can moderately improve spatial planning and problem solving in overweight or obese women over the age of 50.