Industrial Trans Fatty Acids Promote the Development of Food Allergy in a Mouse Model

The rising prevalence of food allergy (FA) has prompted investigations into dietary factors such as trans fatty acids (TFAs). While ruminant TFAs may protect against allergies, the role of industrial TFAs remains unclear. This study evaluated the effects of industrial TFAs on FA in a murine model.

20 Balb/c mice were divided into 4 groups: control (standard diet), OVA (ovalbumin-sensitized, standard diet), TFAs (industrial TFA-enriched diet), and TFAs+OVA (TFA diet + OVA sensitization). After two weeks, OVA and TFAs+OVA groups underwent OVA sensitization/challenge. Symptoms (anal temperature drop, diarrhea), serum immunoglobulin E (tIgE, OVA-sIgE), cytokines, immune cell profiles, and gut microbiota were analyzed.

The incidence rates of anal temperature drop and diarrhea, the serum levels of tIgE, OVA-sIgE, interleukin-4 were significantly higher in the OVA and TFAs+OVA groups compared to the control group. The TFAs+OVA group had a higher degree of anal temperature drop and diarrhea score, and higher serum levels of tIgE and OVA-sIgE compared to the OVA group. The expression of interferon-γ mRNA and the numbers of Th1 cells increased in the spleen of the TFAs and TFAs+OVA group compared to the control group, whereas the numbers of spleen Th2 cells were significantly elevated in the TFAs, OVA, and TFAs+OVA groups compared to the control group. In addition, the numbers of mast cells (MCs) in the esophagus and intestinal mucosa, and the serum concentrations of MCs protease-1 were significantly increased in TFAs, OVA, and TFAs+OVA groups compared to the control group. Cecal microflora among these groups exhibited distinct patterns of differential diversity and composition.

Industrial TFAs may promote OVA-induced FA, Th1 and Th2-associated inflammation in mouse model, accompanied by the activation of MCs and intestinal microbiome dysbiosis.