Lacto-N-neotetraose and Bifidobacterium longum ssp. infantis together shape the unique gut microbiota and metabolites of allergic mice.

2026-04
Journal of dairy science 109(4)

PubMed: 41780875
DOI: 10.3168/jds.2025-27877

Study Design

Population: OVA-induced allergic mouse model
Methods: The effects of lacto-N-neotetraose (LNnT), B. infantis, and their combination on allergy was assessed using an ovalbumin (OVA)-induced allergic mouse model. The mechanisms underlying the alleviation of food allergies by LNnT + B. infantis were also investigated through genomics and metabolomics.

Rigorous Journal
Animal Study

Food allergies are a major challenge in current healthcare. Probiotics and human milk oligosaccharides (HMO) are increasingly being used to address food allergies. However, the role of nonfucosylated neutral oligosaccharides in food allergies remains unclear. Moreover, HMO interact positively with probiotics, but the synergistic effects and underlying mechanisms of their combined action in alleviating food allergies remain poorly understood. Consequently, Bifidobacterium longum ssp. infantis (B. infantis), which exhibits the greatest capacity to use HMO, was chosen for this study. The effects of lacto-N-neotetraose (LNnT), B. infantis, and their combination on allergy was assessed using an ovalbumin (OVA)-induced allergic mouse model. The mechanisms underlying the alleviation of food allergies by LNnT + B. infantis were also investigated through genomics and metabolomics. The results demonstrated that LNnT and B. infantis exerted partial modulatory effects on allergic symptoms, BW, mast cell degranulation, cytokine levels, and immune cell populations in mice. Notably, the simultaneous administration of LNnT and B. infantis significantly outperformed the administration of either LNnT or B. infantis alone, indicating a synergistic effect. Furthermore, LNnT + B. infantis was found to alleviate intestinal injury. Gut microbiota analysis revealed that LNnT + B. infantis reduced the abundance of the allergy-associated bacterium Desulfovibrio and significantly increased the levels of beneficial bacteria, including Lactobacillus, Limosilactobacillus, and Blautia. The LNnT + B. infantis treatment also enhanced steroid hormone biosynthesis, ascorbate and aldarate metabolism, and nucleotide metabolism. Some substances in these pathways are produced by the gut microbiota and are linked to allergy amelioration. In conclusion, LNnT + B. infantis alleviates food allergies by modulating the gut microbiota and its associated metabolic functions in OVA mice.

Research Insights

Supplement	Dose	Health Outcome	Effect Type	Effect Size	Source
Bifidobacterium longum	—	Improved Gut Microbiota Composition	Beneficial	Moderate	View source Gut microbiota analysis revealed that LNnT + B. infantis reduced the abundance of the allergy-associated bacterium Desulfovibrio and significantly increased the levels of beneficial bacteria, including Lactobacillus, Limosilactobacillus, and Blautia.
Bifidobacterium longum	—	Reduced Food Allergy Symptoms	Beneficial	Large	View source The simultaneous administration of LNnT and B. infantis significantly outperformed the administration of either LNnT or B. infantis alone, indicating a synergistic effect. Furthermore, LNnT + B. infantis was found to alleviate intestinal injury.
Bifidobacterium longum	—	Reduced Intestinal Tissue Injury	Beneficial	Moderate	View source Furthermore, LNnT + B. infantis was found to alleviate intestinal injury.