Probiotics Attenuate Food Allergy via Short-Chain Fatty Acids-Mediated Immune Modulation and Gut Barrier Restoration.

2025-11-18
Foods (Basel, Switzerland) 14(22)

PubMed: 41300111
DOI: 10.3390/foods14223953

Study Design

Population: a murine model
Methods: Probiotic administration with three probiotic strains, Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus HN001 (HN001), Bifidobacterium lactis HN019 (HN019), and Lactobacillus acidophilus NCFM (NCFM)

The rising global prevalence of food allergy (FA) necessitates innovative therapeutic strategies. This study investigates the protective effects of three probiotic strains, Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus HN001 (HN001), Bifidobacterium lactis HN019 (HN019), and Lactobacillus acidophilus NCFM (NCFM) against FA in a murine model. Probiotic administration significantly alleviated allergic symptoms and suppressed the Th2 response, reducing IgE, histamine, and cytokines (TNF-α, IL-2/5), while concurrently enhancing CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cell (Treg) activity and TGF-β1 expression. Treatment also restored intestinal integrity by upregulating tight junction proteins (ZO-1, claudin-1). 16S rRNA sequencing revealed that protection was underpinned by microbiota remodeling, marked by increased α-diversity and enrichment of SCFA-producing taxa (Lachnospiraceae and Muribaculaceae), which correlated with elevated acetate, butyrate, and propionate levels. Spearman analysis linked these microbial shifts to improved immune and barrier markers. Collectively, these findings demonstrate that probiotics mitigate FA through a convergent mechanism of immune rebalancing, barrier reinforcement, and SCFA-mediated microbiota-immune crosstalk, offering a promising microbiome-targeted therapy.

Research Insights

Supplement	Dose	Health Outcome	Effect Type	Effect Size	Source
Bifidobacterium lactis HN019	—	Improved Intestinal Barrier Function	Beneficial	Moderate	View source Treatment also restored intestinal integrity by upregulating tight junction proteins (ZO-1, claudin-1).
Bifidobacterium lactis HN019	—	Increased Short-Chain Fatty Acid Production	Beneficial	Moderate	View source Protection was underpinned by microbiota remodeling, marked by increased α-diversity and enrichment of SCFA-producing taxa (Lachnospiraceae and Muribaculaceae), which correlated with elevated acetate, butyrate, and propionate levels.
Bifidobacterium lactis HN019	—	Reduced Food Allergy Symptoms	Beneficial	Moderate	View source Probiotic administration significantly alleviated allergic symptoms and suppressed the Th2 response, reducing IgE, histamine, and cytokines (TNF-α, IL-2/5), while concurrently enhancing CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cell (Treg) activity and TGF-β1 expression.
Lactobacillus rhamnosus HN001	—	Improved Gut Barrier Function	Beneficial	Moderate	View source Treatment also restored intestinal integrity by upregulating tight junction proteins (ZO-1, claudin-1).
Lactobacillus rhamnosus HN001	—	Increased Activation of Regulatory T Cells	Beneficial	Moderate	View source concurrently enhancing CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cell (Treg) activity and TGF-β1 expression.
Lactobacillus rhamnosus HN001	—	Increased Short-Chain Fatty Acid Production	Beneficial	Moderate	View source Protection was underpinned by microbiota remodeling, marked by increased α-diversity and enrichment of SCFA-producing taxa (Lachnospiraceae and Muribaculaceae), which correlated with elevated acetate, butyrate, and propionate levels.
Lactobacillus rhamnosus HN001	—	Reduced Food Allergy Symptoms	Beneficial	Moderate	View source Probiotic administration significantly alleviated allergic symptoms and suppressed the Th2 response, reducing IgE, histamine, and cytokines (TNF-α, IL-2/5), while concurrently enhancing CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cell (Treg) activity and TGF-β1 expression.