Related Experiment Videos
Eosinophil-derived proteins in postprandial (food-dependent) exercise-induced anaphylaxis
A Romano1, E Fanales-Belasio, M Di Fonso
1Department of Internal Medicine and Geriatrics, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy.
International Archives of Allergy and Immunology
|August 1, 1997
Summary
Postprandial exercise-induced anaphylaxis (PPEIAn) involves food before exercise. Eosinophil levels increased only when both exercise and food were combined, suggesting a role in PPEIAn.
Area of Science:
- Allergy and Immunology
- Clinical Medicine
Background:
- Postprandial exercise-induced anaphylaxis (PPEIAn) is a subtype of exercise-induced anaphylaxis (EIAn).
- PPEIAn is characterized by symptom onset following food ingestion before exercise.
- Food-dependent allergic mechanisms are suggested by skin reactivity and specific IgE to food allergens.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of eosinophils in the pathogenesis of PPEIAn.
- To measure changes in serum eosinophil cationic protein (ECP) and eosinophil protein X/eosinophil-derived neurotoxin (EPX/EDN) levels in PPEIAn patients.
Main Methods:
- Studied 6 patients diagnosed with PPEIAn.
- Patients underwent three separate challenges: suspected foods alone, exercise after a meal without food, and exercise after a meal with suspected food ingestion.
- Serum levels of ECP and EPX/EDN were measured during these challenges.
Main Results:
- Serum levels of both ECP and EPX/EDN significantly increased only during challenges involving both exercise and suspected food ingestion.
- Anaphylaxis symptoms manifested in 3 out of the 6 patients during these combined challenges.
- These findings indicate a correlation between combined food and exercise stimuli and eosinophil activation in PPEIAn.
Conclusions:
- Increased release of eosinophil basic proteins occurs in PPEIAn patients when physical exercise follows the ingestion of suspected foods.
- This eosinophil activation is not a mandatory criterion for defining the PPEIAn syndrome.
- The study highlights the involvement of eosinophils in the inflammatory response during PPEIAn.