Absorption Kinetics of the Main Allergen in Egg White on the Intestinal Mucous Membrane of Infants

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This study investigated the following aspects :1.Passage of allergens into the egg white (protein) via the intestinal mucous membrane (IMM) in allergic rats (considered as infants)2.Condition of the IMM after development of food allergy3.Immune tolerance induction by the administration of allergen foods in allergic ratsThe following results were obtained :1.In juvenile rats, a significantly larger amount of allergens passed via the IMM after development of allergy than before. Moreover, the amount of allergens passing via the IMM two weeks after allergy development was significantly larger than that immediately after. Therefore, the allergic effect was mediated to the IMM within one-two weeks of allergy development.2.Allergic inflammation was observed on the skin 22 days after the administration of allergic food. Peyer's patches on the IMM were expanded and swollen. Disintegration of goblet cells and villous blebs was observed in the allergen administration group ; the mast cell number increased significantly in the jejunum tissues.3.Regarding immune tolerance, the IL-4 and IFN-γ levels decreased and increased, respectively, after continuous allergen administration. In the discontinuous group, the IL-4 level increased in the second week of allergen administration when administration had already been discontinued. When the allergen administration was discontinued shortly after its administration, the T-cells in the splenic cells mainly differentiated and proliferated into Th2 cells.However, when allergen administration was resumed, differentiation of T cells into Th1 cells was induced, and a significant decrease was observed in the total IgE or OM IgE antibody units, suggesting the induction of immune tolerance.Here, oral administration of the allergen in an appropriate dose that did not cause allergy was suggested to be effective in allergy treatment because of its decreased immunization or immune response.