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Cocoa Diet Prevents Antibody Synthesis and Modifies Lymph Node Composition and Functionality in a Rat Oral
Mariona Camps-Bossacoma1,2, Mar Abril-Gil3,4, Sandra Saldaña-Ruiz5,6
1Department of Physiology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Barcelona, 08028 Barcelona, Spain. marionacamps@ub.edu.
Nutrients
|April 28, 2016
Summary
A cocoa-rich diet prevented food allergies in rats by inducing oral tolerance. This dietary intervention modulated immune cell activity in mesenteric lymph nodes, suggesting a potential role for cocoa in allergy prevention.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Nutrition Science
- Gastroenterology
Background:
- Cocoa powder is rich in polyphenols with known immunomodulatory effects.
- Previous research suggests cocoa influences both intestinal and systemic immunity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effect of a cocoa diet on oral sensitization in a rat model.
- To understand the impact of cocoa on mesenteric lymph node (MLN) immune activity.
Main Methods:
- Rats were fed a standard or 10% cocoa diet and orally sensitized with ovalbumin (OVA) and cholera toxin.
- Analysis included specific antibody quantification, lymphocyte profiling, gene expression, and cytokine release in MLN.
Main Results:
- Cocoa-fed rats showed almost complete prevention of anti-OVA antibody development.
- MLN analysis revealed increased TCRγδ+ and CD103+CD8+ cells, decreased CD62L+CD4+ and CD62L+CD8+ cells.
- Upregulation of OX40L, CD11c, and IL-1β gene expression, and downregulation of IL-17α were observed.
Conclusions:
- A cocoa-rich diet induces oral tolerance in a sensitization model.
- Observed MLN changes suggest a mechanism for cocoa's allergy-preventive potential.
- Cocoa may play a role in preventing food allergies.
Keywords:
Tγδ+ cellscholera toxinflavonoidsintestinal sensitizationnutraceuticoral toleranceovalbuminspecific antibodies
