Relative allergenicity of cow's milk and cow's milk-based formulas in an animal model

Human infants fed cow's milk or cow's milk-based formula may become intolerant to milk proteins partially because of allergic reactions. However, the relative allergenicity of these diets has not been clearly determined at the intestinal level. In this study, the allergenicity of cow's milk and milk-based formula was evaluated by examining intestinal anaphylaxis caused by challenge with a milk protein fraction, beta-lactoglobulin (beta LG), in guinea pigs orally sensitized to these diets. Colonic segments were removed and challenged with beta LG. An antigen-induced, anaphylactically mediated elevation of transmural short circuit current, which is caused by net chloride (Cl-) secretion, was measured in Ussing chambers as an index of local immune responsiveness. After removal of the colon, all guinea pigs were challenged by intracardiac injection with beta LG to examine the onset of bronchospasm, a test for systemic anaphylaxis. Whereas colonic segments from all guinea pigs fed whole cow's milk responded to challenge with beta LG, segments from only 60% of animals fed cow's milk formula responded to the challenge. In addition, the responders in the latter group had a significantly lower magnitude of beta LG-induced Cl- secretion compared with animals sensitized to whole cow's milk. In parallel, bronchospasm developed in all guinea pigs fed whole cow's milk. In the group of animals fed cow's milk formula, bronchospasm developed only in those who responded to the intestinal challenge. On the basis of these results, cow's milk-based formula has less sensitizing power than whole cow's milk in our animal model, and our approach is effective in testing allergenicity at the intestinal level.