Circulating antibodies to cow's milk proteins in ulcerative colitis

Area of Science:

• Gastroenterology
• Immunology
• Allergy

Background:

• Cow's milk proteins are common allergens.
• Antibody responses to milk proteins may be relevant in gastrointestinal diseases.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate antibody levels to cow's milk proteins in patients with ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease, hypolactasia, coeliac disease, and irritable bowel syndrome.
• To compare antibody titres between these patient groups and healthy controls.

Main Methods:

• Sera from patients and controls were tested for antibodies to casein, alpha-lactalbumin, and beta-lactoglobulin.
• Red-cell-linked antigen-antiglobulin reaction was used to detect direct agglutinating and incomplete IgA/IgG antibodies.

Main Results:

• High antibody titres to milk proteins were frequent in untreated coeliac disease patients.
• Low titres of IgA and IgG antibodies were common in about 50% of all subjects.
• Antibody titres in ulcerative colitis patients did not differ from controls or other gastrointestinal groups.

Conclusions:

• Untreated coeliac disease is associated with frequent high antibody titres to cow's milk proteins.
• Low-level antibody responses may be due to continuous low-level protein absorption.
• Mucosal damage, as in coeliac disease, may enhance allergen absorption and antibody production.
• Milk allergy is unlikely to be a primary factor in ulcerative colitis aetiology.