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Leung ASY, Pacharn P, Tangvalelerd S, Sato S, Pitt E, Wong G, Koplin JJ. Food allergy in a changing dietary landscape: A focus on the Asia Pacific region. Pediatr Allergy Immunol 2024; 35:e14211. [PMID: 39127915 DOI: 10.1111/pai.14211] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2024] [Revised: 07/16/2024] [Accepted: 07/19/2024] [Indexed: 08/12/2024]
Abstract
Recent studies have provided compelling evidence to suggest that various environmental factors play a significant role in the development of food allergies. As our society experiences rapid economic growth, increased urbanization, and a shift towards a more Westernized diet, the incidence of food allergies is also on the rise and the pattern is gradually evolving. This review will delve into the changes in the epidemiology of food allergies within the Asia-Pacific region and the various dietary practices and factors that are postulated to play a role in the rise in food allergies over the years. Although there have been important advancements in the field of food allergies, there are still numerous uncertainties regarding the intricate relationship between diet and food allergies. Specifically, the role of epigenetic factors in influencing the susceptibility to food allergies, as evidenced by studies that assessed the impact of migration and rural-urban dynamics, is not fully understood. Addressing this knowledge gap presents an opportunity to develop more effective prevention and treatment strategies that could greatly benefit individuals living with food allergies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Agnes Sze-Yin Leung
- Department of Paediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Prince of Wales Hospital, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
- Hong Kong Hub of Paediatric Excellence (HOPE), The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Punchama Pacharn
- Department of Pediatrics, Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Supaluk Tangvalelerd
- Department of Pediatrics, Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Sakura Sato
- Clinical Research Center for Allergy and Rheumatology, NHO Sagamihara National Hospital, Sagamihara, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Erin Pitt
- Child Health Research Centre, University of Queensland, South Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Gary Wong
- Department of Paediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Prince of Wales Hospital, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Jennifer J Koplin
- Child Health Research Centre, University of Queensland, South Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
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2
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Sabouraud-Leclerc D. [The impact of today's environment on allergies: can we take action?]. SOINS. PEDIATRIE, PUERICULTURE 2024; 45:12-17. [PMID: 38553107 DOI: 10.1016/j.spp.2024.02.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/02/2024]
Abstract
Allergic diseases have risen sharply in recent decades. After some epidemiological data, we take a look at the various hypotheses explaining this allergy "epidemic". Changes in our environment, such as pollution, are a source of climate change and an increase in allergic diseases through inflammation of epithelial barriers. Allergy prevention, a public health emergency, relies on environmental actions at both individual and collective levels.
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Acevedo N, Llinás-Caballero K. Mass Cytometry in Food Allergy Research. Methods Mol Biol 2024; 2717:207-219. [PMID: 37737986 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-3453-0_13] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/23/2023]
Abstract
Mechanisms underlying food allergy are not well understood. Mass cytometry is a technique that allows the multiple analysis of cell surface markers and intracellular proteins by using the spectrum of rare metal isotopes of different atomic masses without channel overlap. Bioinformatic approaches are implemented to combine and reduce the information of more than 60 parameters to define immune cell subpopulations. To date, mass cytometry has revealed a great heterogeneity in human response to food antigens and that subpopulations of basophils and mononuclear cells might be mechanistically implicated in food allergy. This chapter reviews some fundamentals of mass cytometry and the contributions of this technique in elucidating the immune basis of food allergy, oral tolerance, food desensitization, phenotypes, and the cellular events occurring upon allergen-specific immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nathalie Acevedo
- Institute for Immunological Research, University of Cartagena, Cartagena, Colombia.
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4
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Brusselaers N, Pereira M, Alm J, Engstrand L, Engstrand Lilja H. Effect of proton pump inhibitors in infants with esophageal atresia on the gut microbiome: a pilot cohort. Gut Pathog 2022; 14:47. [PMID: 36527125 PMCID: PMC9758939 DOI: 10.1186/s13099-022-00518-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2022] [Accepted: 11/08/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The effects of proton-pump inhibitors (PPIs) on the infant microbiome remain unclear. Swedish pilot cohort study to assess the longitudinal effect of long-term PPI on the infant gut microbiome, including ten newborn infants operated for esophageal atresia exposed to PPIs (mean 57 weeks), compared to healthy one-year-old controls. All children were born vaginally and were otherwise healthy. Within- and between sample diversity of the fecal microbiome was assessed using untargeted whole genome Shotgun metagenomics which sequences all the DNA in the sample and can capture genes rather than a taxonomic fingerprint. RESULTS A longer duration of PPI-use was associated with considerable changes in evenness and high variation on diversity within samples compared to a shorter duration of use. The limited difference between baseline samples and controls suggests that this shift was most likely due to the drug exposure and not the underlying alterations on the microbiome. We found no associations with the number of antibiotic treatment episodes among the PPI-users. CONCLUSION Prolonged PPI-use may alter the early infant gut microbiome composition, especially those with the most prolonged duration of use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nele Brusselaers
- grid.4714.60000 0004 1937 0626Centre for Translational Microbiome Research, Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology, Karolinska Institutet, Solnavägen 9, 17165 Stockholm, Sweden ,grid.5284.b0000 0001 0790 3681Global Health Institute, University of Antwerp, B-2610 Antwerp, Belgium ,grid.5342.00000 0001 2069 7798Department of Head and Skin, Ghent University, B-9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Marcela Pereira
- grid.4714.60000 0004 1937 0626Centre for Translational Microbiome Research, Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology, Karolinska Institutet, Solnavägen 9, 17165 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Johan Alm
- grid.4714.60000 0004 1937 0626Department of Clinical Science, Karolinska Institutet, 17165 Stockholm, Sweden ,grid.416648.90000 0000 8986 2221Sachs’ Children and Youth Hospital, Södersjukhuset, 11883 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Lars Engstrand
- grid.4714.60000 0004 1937 0626Centre for Translational Microbiome Research, Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology, Karolinska Institutet, Solnavägen 9, 17165 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Helene Engstrand Lilja
- grid.4714.60000 0004 1937 0626Department of Women’s and Children’s Health, Karolinska Institutet, 17165 Stockholm, Sweden
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5
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Olin A, Acevedo N, Lakshmikanth T, Chen Y, Johansson C, Alm J, Scheynius A, Brodin P. Longitudinal analyses of development of the immune system during the first five years of life in relation to lifestyle. Allergy 2022; 77:1583-1595. [PMID: 35094423 DOI: 10.1111/all.15232] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2021] [Revised: 11/24/2021] [Accepted: 12/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Changes in immune cell composition during the immunological window within the first years after birth are not fully understood, especially the effect that different lifestyles might have on immune cell functionality. METHODS Peripheral blood mononuclear cells from mothers and their children at birth and at two anvd five years were analyzed by mass cytometry. Immune cell composition and functionality was analyzed according to family lifestyle (anthroposophic and non-anthroposophic). RESULTS We found no significant differences in the proportions of major immune lineages between anthroposophic and non-anthroposophic children at each time point, but there were clear changes over time in the proportions of mononuclear leukocytes, especially in B-cells and T lymphocytes. Phenotypic distances between cord blood and maternal blood were high at birth but decreased sharply the first two years, indicating strong phenotypic convergence with maternal cells. We found that children exhibited similar stimulation responses at birth, but subsequently segregated into two discrete functional trajectories. Trajectory 1 was associated with a decrease in tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFa) production by CD4+ T- and NK-cells, while Trajectory 2 depicted an increase in the production of IL-2 and interferon gamma (INFg) by T-cells. In both trajectories, there was an increase in IL-17A production by T-cells resulting in prominent differences at five years of age. CONCLUSIONS This exploratory study suggests that leukocyte frequencies and cell phenotypes change with age in the same way across all children, while functional development follows one of two discrete trajectories that largely segregate by family lifestyle, supporting the hypothesis that early environmental exposures imprint immune cell function which may contribute to IgE sensitization. Our results also support that the first two years are critical for the environmental exposures to imprint the immune cells. Further studies with larger sample sizes are required to validate our findings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Axel Olin
- Science for Life Laboratory Department of Women’s and Children's Health Karolinska Institutet Stockholm Sweden
| | - Nathalie Acevedo
- Department of Clinical Science and Education Karolinska Institutet Stockholm Sweden
- Sachs' Children and Youth Hospital Södersjukhuset Stockholm Sweden
- Institute for Immunological Research University of Cartagena Cartagena Colombia
| | - Tadepally Lakshmikanth
- Science for Life Laboratory Department of Women’s and Children's Health Karolinska Institutet Stockholm Sweden
| | - Yang Chen
- Science for Life Laboratory Department of Women’s and Children's Health Karolinska Institutet Stockholm Sweden
| | - Catharina Johansson
- Department of Clinical Science and Education Karolinska Institutet Stockholm Sweden
- Sachs' Children and Youth Hospital Södersjukhuset Stockholm Sweden
| | - Johan Alm
- Department of Clinical Science and Education Karolinska Institutet Stockholm Sweden
- Sachs' Children and Youth Hospital Södersjukhuset Stockholm Sweden
| | - Annika Scheynius
- Department of Clinical Science and Education Karolinska Institutet Stockholm Sweden
- Sachs' Children and Youth Hospital Södersjukhuset Stockholm Sweden
- Science for Life Laboratory Karolinska Institutet Stockholm Sweden
| | - Petter Brodin
- Science for Life Laboratory Department of Women’s and Children's Health Karolinska Institutet Stockholm Sweden
- Department of Newborn Medicine Karolinska University Hospital Stockholm Sweden
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Dębińska A, Sozańska B. Fermented Food in Asthma and Respiratory Allergies—Chance or Failure? Nutrients 2022; 14:nu14071420. [PMID: 35406034 PMCID: PMC9002914 DOI: 10.3390/nu14071420] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2022] [Revised: 03/23/2022] [Accepted: 03/25/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
In the last few decades, a dramatic increase in the global prevalence of allergic diseases and asthma was observed. It was hypothesized that diet may be an important immunomodulatory factor influencing susceptibility to allergic diseases. Fermented food, a natural source of living microorganisms and bioactive compounds, has been demonstrated to possess health-promoting potentials and seems to be a promising strategy to reduce the risk of various immune-related diseases, such as allergic diseases and asthma. The exact mechanisms by which allergic diseases and asthma can be alleviated or prevented by fermented food are not well understood; however, its potential to exert an effect through modulating the immune response and influencing the gut microbiota has been recently studied. In this review, we provide the current knowledge on the role of diet, including fermented foods, in preventing or treating allergic diseases and asthma.
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Payet D, Adjibade M, Baudry J, Ghozal M, Camier A, Nicklaus S, Adel-Patient K, Divaret-Chauveau A, Gauvreau-Béziat J, Vin K, Lioret S, Charles MA, Kesse-Guyot E, de Lauzon-Guillain B. Organic Food Consumption During the Complementary Feeding Period and Respiratory or Allergic Diseases Up to Age 5.5 Years in the ELFE Cohort. Front Nutr 2021; 8:791430. [PMID: 34977129 PMCID: PMC8716938 DOI: 10.3389/fnut.2021.791430] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2021] [Accepted: 11/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Objectives: To assess (1) whether a history of allergy is associated with feeding with organic foods (OFs) during the complementary feeding period and (2) whether OF consumption in infancy is related to the incidence of respiratory and allergic diseases up to age 5.5 years. Study Design: Analyses involved more than 8,000 children from the nationwide Étude Longitudinale Française depuis l'Enfance (ELFE) birth cohort. Associations between family or infant history of allergy and frequency of OF consumption during the complementary feeding period were assessed with multinomial logistic regression. Associations between OF consumption in infancy and respiratory or allergic diseases between age 1 and 5.5 years were assessed with logistic regression. Results: A family history of allergy or cow's milk protein allergy at age 2 months was strongly and positively related to feeding with OF during the complementary feeding period. Feeding with OF during the complementary feeding period was not related to respiratory diseases or eczema up to age 5.5 years. Compared to infrequent consumption of both organic and commercial complementary foods, frequent OF consumption without commercial complementary foods was associated with a higher risk of food allergy, whereas frequent commercial complementary food consumption without OF use was associated with a lower risk of food allergy. Conclusions: This study suggests that a history of allergy strongly affects feeding with OF during the complementary feeding period. However, OF consumption was not associated with reduced odds of food allergy later in childhood but could be associated with increased odds, which should be examined more deeply.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Payet
- Université de Paris, Inserm, INRAE, CRESS, Paris, France
| | | | - Julia Baudry
- Université Sorbonne Paris Nord, Inserm, INRAE, CNAM, CRESS, Paris, France
| | - Manel Ghozal
- Université de Paris, Inserm, INRAE, CRESS, Paris, France
| | - Aurore Camier
- Université de Paris, Inserm, INRAE, CRESS, Paris, France
| | - Sophie Nicklaus
- Centre des Sciences du Goût et de l'Alimentation, AgroSup Dijon, CNRS, INRAE, Université Bourgogne Franche-Comté, Dijon, France
| | | | - Amandine Divaret-Chauveau
- EA3450, Université de Lorraine, Vandoeuvre-lès-Nancy, France
- Unité d'allergologie pédiatrique, Hôpital d'Enfants, CHRU de Nancy, Vandoeuvre-lès-Nancy, France
| | - Julie Gauvreau-Béziat
- French Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health and Safety (ANSES), Risk Assessment Department, Food Observatory Unit, Maisons-Alfort, France
| | - Karine Vin
- French Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health and Safety (ANSES), Risk Assessment Department, Food Observatory Unit, Maisons-Alfort, France
| | | | - Marie Aline Charles
- Université de Paris, Inserm, INRAE, CRESS, Paris, France
- Unité mixte Inserm-Ined-EFS Elfe, Ined, Paris, France
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8
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Characteristics associated with feeding organic foods during complementary feeding: the nationwide Étude Longitudinale Française depuis l'Enfance (ELFE) birth cohort. Br J Nutr 2021; 126:1215-1224. [PMID: 33331257 DOI: 10.1017/s0007114520005097] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
Organic food consumption and its effects on health remain understudied in adults and in children. The aim of this study was to describe family characteristics associated with feeding infants organic foods during the complementary feeding period. The analysis included 9764 children from the French Étude Longitudinale Française depuis l'Enfance (ELFE) birth cohort. In addition to telephone interviews conducted at 2, 12 and 24 months, a monthly questionnaire about milk feeding and complementary foods (including organic foods) was completed by parents between 3 and 10 months. Associations between family characteristics and feeding with organic foods during complementary feeding were analysed by multivariable multinomial logistic regression. Overall, 51 % of infants never consumed organic food during the complementary feeding period (up to 10 months), 24 % sometimes, 15 % often and 9 % always or almost always. As compared with infants never fed organic foods, those 'often' or 'always' fed organic foods were born to older mothers, with higher education level or family income, and lower pre-pregnancy BMI. As compared with never-smoking women, women who had stopped smoking before pregnancy were more likely to feed their infant organic foods. Feeding with organic foods was also related to long breast-feeding duration and later introduction to complementary foods. To conclude, associations between feeding with organic foods and family socio-economic position as well as infant feeding practices need to be considered when studying the impact of organic foods on children's health and development.
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9
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Alashkar Alhamwe B, Alhamdan F, Ruhl A, Potaczek DP, Renz H. The role of epigenetics in allergy and asthma development. Curr Opin Allergy Clin Immunol 2021; 20:48-55. [PMID: 31633569 DOI: 10.1097/aci.0000000000000598] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Epigenetic mechanisms are known to play a crucial role in the pathogenesis of asthma, allergic rhinitis, atopic dermatitis, food allergy, and other allergic disorders, especially through mediating the effects of the environmental factors, well recognized allergy-risk modifiers. The aim of this work was to provide a concise but comprehensive review of the recent progress in the epigenetics of allergic diseases. RECENT FINDINGS Recent few years have substantially expanded our knowledge on the role of epigenetics in the pathogenesis and clinical picture of allergies. Specifically, it has been shown that epigenetic marks, especially DNA methylation, possess a diagnostic potential for atopic sensitization, asthma, allergic rhinitis, and food allergy. DNA methylation can be a predictor of clinical responses in controlled allergen challenges, including oral food challenges. Furthermore, direct or indirect targeting epigenetic mechanisms, this time especially histone modifications, was able to favorably affect expression of the genes underlying allergies and generally improve airway biology in allergic diseases or their animal models. SUMMARY Further studies are needed to explore the diagnostic and therapeutic potential of epigenetic modifications in allergies and to develop respective clinical tools.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bilal Alashkar Alhamwe
- Institute of Laboratory Medicine, Member of the German Center for Lung Research (DZL) and the Universities of Giessen and Marburg Lung Center (UGMLC), Philipps-University Marburg, Marburg, Germany.,International Inflammation (in-VIVO) Network, Worldwide Universities Network (WUN), West New York, New Jersey, USA.,College of Pharmacy, International University for Science and Technology (IUST), Daraa, Syria
| | - Fahd Alhamdan
- Institute of Laboratory Medicine, Member of the German Center for Lung Research (DZL) and the Universities of Giessen and Marburg Lung Center (UGMLC), Philipps-University Marburg, Marburg, Germany
| | - Andreas Ruhl
- Institute of Laboratory Medicine, Member of the German Center for Lung Research (DZL) and the Universities of Giessen and Marburg Lung Center (UGMLC), Philipps-University Marburg, Marburg, Germany
| | - Daniel P Potaczek
- Institute of Laboratory Medicine, Member of the German Center for Lung Research (DZL) and the Universities of Giessen and Marburg Lung Center (UGMLC), Philipps-University Marburg, Marburg, Germany.,International Inflammation (in-VIVO) Network, Worldwide Universities Network (WUN), West New York, New Jersey, USA.,John Paul II Hospital, Krakow, Poland
| | - Harald Renz
- Institute of Laboratory Medicine, Member of the German Center for Lung Research (DZL) and the Universities of Giessen and Marburg Lung Center (UGMLC), Philipps-University Marburg, Marburg, Germany.,International Inflammation (in-VIVO) Network, Worldwide Universities Network (WUN), West New York, New Jersey, USA
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Mikus M, Järnbert-Pettersson H, Johansson C, Nilsson P, Scheynius A, Alm J. Protein profiles in plasma: Development from infancy to 5 years of age. Proteomics Clin Appl 2021; 15:e2000038. [PMID: 33830667 DOI: 10.1002/prca.202000038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2020] [Revised: 03/31/2021] [Accepted: 04/01/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Little is known about the longitudinal development of different plasma protein levels during early childhood and particularly in relation to lifestyle factors. This study aimed to monitor the plasma proteome early in life and the influence of different lifestyles. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN A multiplex bead-based immunoassay was used to analyze plasma levels of 97 proteins in 280 blood samples longitudinally collected in children at 6, 12, 24, and 60 months of age living in families with an anthroposophic (n = 15), partly anthroposophic (n = 27), or non-anthroposophic (n = 28) lifestyle. RESULTS A total of 68 proteins (70%) showed significantly altered plasma levels between 6 months and 5 years of age. In lifestyle stratified analysis, 59 of 97 (61%) proteins were altered over time within one or more of the three lifestyle groups. Nearly half of these proteins (28 out of 59) changed irrespective of lifestyle. The temporal changes represented four longitudinal trends of the plasma proteins during development, also following stratification of lifestyle. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Our findings contribute to understand the development of the plasma proteome under the influence of lifestyle exposures in early childhood.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Mikus
- Department of Protein Science, Division of Affinity Proteomics, SciLifeLab, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm, Sweden.,Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Hans Järnbert-Pettersson
- Department of Clinical Science and Education, Södersjukhuset, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Catharina Johansson
- Department of Clinical Science and Education, Södersjukhuset, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Peter Nilsson
- Department of Protein Science, Division of Affinity Proteomics, SciLifeLab, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Annika Scheynius
- Department of Clinical Science and Education, Södersjukhuset, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.,SciLifeLab, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.,Sachs' Children and Youth Hospital, Södersjukhuset, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Johan Alm
- Department of Clinical Science and Education, Södersjukhuset, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.,Sachs' Children and Youth Hospital, Södersjukhuset, Stockholm, Sweden
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11
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Acevedo N, Scala G, Merid SK, Frumento P, Bruhn S, Andersson A, Ogris C, Bottai M, Pershagen G, Koppelman GH, Melén E, Sonnhammer E, Alm J, Söderhäll C, Kere J, Greco D, Scheynius A. DNA Methylation Levels in Mononuclear Leukocytes from the Mother and Her Child Are Associated with IgE Sensitization to Allergens in Early Life. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22020801. [PMID: 33466918 PMCID: PMC7830007 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22020801] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2020] [Revised: 12/22/2020] [Accepted: 12/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
DNA methylation changes may predispose becoming IgE-sensitized to allergens. We analyzed whether DNA methylation in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) is associated with IgE sensitization at 5 years of age (5Y). DNA methylation was measured in 288 PBMC samples from 74 mother/child pairs from the birth cohort ALADDIN (Assessment of Lifestyle and Allergic Disease During INfancy) using the HumanMethylation450BeadChip (Illumina). PBMCs were obtained from the mothers during pregnancy and from their children in cord blood, at 2 years and 5Y. DNA methylation levels at each time point were compared between children with and without IgE sensitization to allergens at 5Y. For replication, CpG sites associated with IgE sensitization in ALADDIN were evaluated in whole blood DNA of 256 children, 4 years old, from the BAMSE (Swedish abbreviation for Children, Allergy, Milieu, Stockholm, Epidemiology) cohort. We found 34 differentially methylated regions (DMRs) associated with IgE sensitization to airborne allergens and 38 DMRs associated with sensitization to food allergens in children at 5Y (Sidak p ≤ 0.05). Genes associated with airborne sensitization were enriched in the pathway of endocytosis, while genes associated with food sensitization were enriched in focal adhesion, the bacterial invasion of epithelial cells, and leukocyte migration. Furthermore, 25 DMRs in maternal PBMCs were associated with IgE sensitization to airborne allergens in their children at 5Y, which were functionally annotated to the mTOR (mammalian Target of Rapamycin) signaling pathway. This study supports that DNA methylation is associated with IgE sensitization early in life and revealed new candidate genes for atopy. Moreover, our study provides evidence that maternal DNA methylation levels are associated with IgE sensitization in the child supporting early in utero effects on atopy predisposition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nathalie Acevedo
- Department of Clinical Science and Education, Karolinska Institutet, and Sachs’ Children and Youth Hospital, Södersjukhuset, SE-118 83 Stockholm, Sweden; (N.A.); (S.K.M.); (E.M.); (J.A.)
- Institute for Immunological Research, University of Cartagena, 130014 Cartagena, Colombia
| | - Giovanni Scala
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, 80138 Napoli, Italy;
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology, Tampere University, 33520 Tampere, Finland;
- Institute of Biosciences and Medical Technologies (BioMediTech), Tampere University, 33520 Tampere, Finland
| | - Simon Kebede Merid
- Department of Clinical Science and Education, Karolinska Institutet, and Sachs’ Children and Youth Hospital, Södersjukhuset, SE-118 83 Stockholm, Sweden; (N.A.); (S.K.M.); (E.M.); (J.A.)
| | - Paolo Frumento
- Department of Political Sciences, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy;
| | - Sören Bruhn
- Department of Medicine Solna, Translational Immunology Unit, Karolinska Institutet, SE-171 77 Stockholm, Sweden; (S.B.); (A.A.)
| | - Anna Andersson
- Department of Medicine Solna, Translational Immunology Unit, Karolinska Institutet, SE-171 77 Stockholm, Sweden; (S.B.); (A.A.)
| | - Christoph Ogris
- Stockholm Bioinformatics Center, Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Stockholm University, Science for Life Laboratory, SE-17121 Solna, Sweden; (C.O.); (E.S.)
- Institute of Computational Biology, Helmholtz Center Munich, 85764 Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Matteo Bottai
- Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, SE-171 77 Stockholm, Sweden; (M.B.); (G.P.)
| | - Göran Pershagen
- Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, SE-171 77 Stockholm, Sweden; (M.B.); (G.P.)
| | - Gerard H. Koppelman
- Section of Pediatric Pulmonology and Pediatric Allergology, Beatrix Children’s Hospital, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, 9713 GZ Groningen, The Netherlands;
- Groningen Research Institute of Asthma and COPD (GRIAC), University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, 9700 RB Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Erik Melén
- Department of Clinical Science and Education, Karolinska Institutet, and Sachs’ Children and Youth Hospital, Södersjukhuset, SE-118 83 Stockholm, Sweden; (N.A.); (S.K.M.); (E.M.); (J.A.)
- Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, SE-171 77 Stockholm, Sweden; (M.B.); (G.P.)
| | - Erik Sonnhammer
- Stockholm Bioinformatics Center, Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Stockholm University, Science for Life Laboratory, SE-17121 Solna, Sweden; (C.O.); (E.S.)
| | - Johan Alm
- Department of Clinical Science and Education, Karolinska Institutet, and Sachs’ Children and Youth Hospital, Södersjukhuset, SE-118 83 Stockholm, Sweden; (N.A.); (S.K.M.); (E.M.); (J.A.)
| | - Cilla Söderhäll
- Department of Biosciences and Nutrition, Karolinska Institutet, SE-171 77 Stockholm, Sweden; (C.S.); (J.K.)
- Department of Women’s and Children’s Health, Karolinska Institutet, SE-171 77 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Juha Kere
- Department of Biosciences and Nutrition, Karolinska Institutet, SE-171 77 Stockholm, Sweden; (C.S.); (J.K.)
- Folkhälsan Research Institute, Stem Cells and Metabolism Research Program, University of Helsinki, 00014 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Dario Greco
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology, Tampere University, 33520 Tampere, Finland;
- Institute of Biosciences and Medical Technologies (BioMediTech), Tampere University, 33520 Tampere, Finland
- Institute of Biotechnology, University of Helsinki, FI-00014 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Annika Scheynius
- Department of Clinical Science and Education, Karolinska Institutet, and Sachs’ Children and Youth Hospital, Södersjukhuset, SE-118 83 Stockholm, Sweden; (N.A.); (S.K.M.); (E.M.); (J.A.)
- Science for Life Laboratory, Karolinska Institutet, SE-171 65 Solna, Sweden
- Correspondence:
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12
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Organic food consumption is associated with inflammatory biomarkers among older adults. Public Health Nutr 2020; 24:4603-4613. [PMID: 33353578 DOI: 10.1017/s1368980020005236] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The association between organic food consumption and biomarkers of inflammation, C-reactive protein (CRP) and cystatin C (CysC) was explored in this cross-sectional analysis of older adults. DESIGN Dietary data and organic food consumption was collected in 2013 from a FFQ. Alternative Mediterranean diet score (A-MedDiet) was calculated as a measure of healthy eating. Biomarkers CRP and CysC were collected in serum or plasma in 2016. We used linear regression models to assess the associations between organic food consumption and CRP and CysC. SETTING This cross-sectional analysis uses data from the nationally representative, longitudinal panel study of Americans over 50, the Health and Retirement Study. PARTICIPANTS The mean age of the analytic sample (n 3815) was 64·3 (se 0·3) years with 54·4 % being female. RESULTS Log CRP and log CysC were inversely associated with consuming organic food after adjusting for potential confounders (CRP: β = -0·096, 95 % CI 0·159, -0·033; CysC: β = -0·033, 95 % CI -0·051, -0·015). Log CRP maintained statistical significance (β = -0·080; 95 % CI -0·144, -0·016) after additional adjustments for the A-MedDiet, while log CysC lost statistical significance (β = -0·019; 95 % CI -0·039, 0·000). The association between organic food consumption and log CRP was driven primarily by milk, fruit, vegetables and cereals, while log CysC was primarily driven by milk, eggs and meat after adjustments for A-MedDiet. CONCLUSIONS These findings support the hypothesis that organic food consumption is inversely associated with biomarkers of inflammation CRP and CysC, although residual confounding by healthy eating and socioeconomic status cannot be ruled out.
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Vigar V, Myers S, Oliver C, Arellano J, Robinson S, Leifert C. A Systematic Review of Organic Versus Conventional Food Consumption: Is There a Measurable Benefit on Human Health? Nutrients 2019; 12:E7. [PMID: 31861431 PMCID: PMC7019963 DOI: 10.3390/nu12010007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2019] [Revised: 11/08/2019] [Accepted: 12/13/2019] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The current review aims to systematically assess the evidence related to human health outcomes when an organic diet is consumed in comparison to its conventional counterpart. Relevant databases were searched for articles published to January 2019. Clinical trials and observational research studies were included where they provided comparative results on direct or indirect health outcomes. Thirty-five papers met the criteria for inclusion in the review. Few clinical trials assessed direct improvements in health outcomes associated with organic food consumption; most assessed either differences in pesticide exposure or other indirect measures. Significant positive outcomes were seen in longitudinal studies where increased organic intake was associated with reduced incidence of infertility, birth defects, allergic sensitisation, otitis media, pre-eclampsia, metabolic syndrome, high BMI, and non-Hodgkin lymphoma. The current evidence base does not allow a definitive statement on the health benefits of organic dietary intake. However, a growing number of important findings are being reported from observational research linking demonstrable health benefits with organic food consumption. Future clinical research should focus on using long-term whole-diet substitution with certified organic interventions as this approach is more likely to determine whether or not true measurable health benefits exist.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vanessa Vigar
- NatMed Research, Southern Cross University, Lismore NSW 2480, Australia; (V.V.); (C.O.); (S.R.)
- Integria Healthcare, Eight Mile Plains QLD 4113, Australia
- School of Health and Human Sciences, Southern Cross University, Lismore NSW 2480, Australia;
- Centre for Organics Research, Southern Cross University, Lismore NSW 2480, Australia
| | - Stephen Myers
- NatMed Research, Southern Cross University, Lismore NSW 2480, Australia; (V.V.); (C.O.); (S.R.)
- School of Health and Human Sciences, Southern Cross University, Lismore NSW 2480, Australia;
- Centre for Organics Research, Southern Cross University, Lismore NSW 2480, Australia
| | - Christopher Oliver
- NatMed Research, Southern Cross University, Lismore NSW 2480, Australia; (V.V.); (C.O.); (S.R.)
- School of Health and Human Sciences, Southern Cross University, Lismore NSW 2480, Australia;
- Centre for Organics Research, Southern Cross University, Lismore NSW 2480, Australia
- Oliver Nutrition Pty Ltd, Lismore NSW 2480, Australia
| | - Jacinta Arellano
- School of Health and Human Sciences, Southern Cross University, Lismore NSW 2480, Australia;
| | - Shelley Robinson
- NatMed Research, Southern Cross University, Lismore NSW 2480, Australia; (V.V.); (C.O.); (S.R.)
- School of Health and Human Sciences, Southern Cross University, Lismore NSW 2480, Australia;
- Centre for Organics Research, Southern Cross University, Lismore NSW 2480, Australia
| | - Carlo Leifert
- Centre for Organics Research, Southern Cross University, Lismore NSW 2480, Australia
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14
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Papadogiannakis N, Joerink M, Rindsjö E, Scheynius A, Alm J. Placental inflammation, lifestyle, maternal and early child sensitisation to allergens - the assessment of lifestyle and allergic disease during infancy birth cohort. Acta Paediatr 2019; 108:927-932. [PMID: 30338564 DOI: 10.1111/apa.14618] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2018] [Revised: 10/12/2018] [Accepted: 10/12/2018] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
AIM To investigate (i) whether maternal sensitisation to allergens, and lifestyle can influence the risk of acute and chronic inflammation of the placenta, in the forms of chorioamnionitis and villitis, respectively, and (ii) whether these placental inflammations are associated with the outcome of sensitisation for the child during preschool age. METHODS Placentas from term uncomplicated pregnancies (n = 275) in the assessment of lifestyle and allergic disease during infancy study were analysed for the presence of acute chorioamnionitis and chronic villitis. Stepwise logistic regression was performed to estimate the relative risk of placental inflammation in relation to maternal allergic sensitisation and lifestyle, and the association between placental inflammation and sensitisation of the child up to five years of age. RESULTS Parity and delivery at home were independently associated with chorioamnionitis, home delivery only with the low grade. Maternal allergic sensitisation was associated with increased risk of villitis in the bivariable model, however, not in the multivariable model. No significant associations were detected between placental inflammation and the outcome of sensitisation to allergens at five years of age. CONCLUSION Our data do not support the hypothesis that the increased risk for sensitisation of a child when the mother is allergic is mediated via placental inflammation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nikos Papadogiannakis
- Department of Laboratory Medicine Division of Pathology Section of Perinatal Pathology Karolinska Institutet and Karolinska University Hospital Huddinge Stockholm Sweden
| | - Maaike Joerink
- Translational Immunology Unit Department of Medicine Solna Karolinska Institutet and University Hospital Stockholm Sweden
| | - Erika Rindsjö
- Department of Laboratory Medicine Division of Pathology Section of Perinatal Pathology Karolinska Institutet and Karolinska University Hospital Huddinge Stockholm Sweden
- Department of Oncology‐Pathology Karolinska Institutet Stockholm Sweden
| | - Annika Scheynius
- Department of Clinical Science and Education Sachs’ Children and Youth Hospital Södersjukhuset Karolinska Institutet Stockholm Sweden
- Clinical Genomics Science for Life Laboratory Stockholm Sweden
| | - Johan Alm
- Department of Clinical Science and Education Sachs’ Children and Youth Hospital Södersjukhuset Karolinska Institutet Stockholm Sweden
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Epigenetic Modifications in Placenta are Associated with the Child's Sensitization to Allergens. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2019; 2019:1315257. [PMID: 31111043 PMCID: PMC6500694 DOI: 10.1155/2019/1315257] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2018] [Revised: 02/19/2019] [Accepted: 03/12/2019] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Prenatal environmental exposures are considered to contribute to the development of allergic sensitization by epigenetic mechanisms. The role of histone acetylation in the placenta has not been examined yet. We hypothesized that placental histone acetylation at the promoter regions of allergy-related immune regulatory genes is associated with the development of sensitization to allergens in the child. Histones H3 and H4 acetylation at the promoter regions of 6 selected allergy-related immune regulatory genes was assessed by a chromatin immunoprecipitation assay in 173 term placentas collected in the prospective birth-cohort ALADDIN. The development of IgE sensitization to allergens in the children was followed from 6 months up to 5 years of age. We discovered significant associations of histone acetylation levels with decreased risk of allergic sensitization in 3 genes. Decreased risk of sensitization to food allergens was associated with higher H3 acetylation levels in placentas at the IFNG and SH2B3 genes, and for H4 acetylation in HDAC4. Higher HDAC4 H4 acetylation levels were also associated with a decreased risk of sensitization to aeroallergens. In conclusion, our results suggest that acetylation of histones in placenta has a potential to predict the development of sensitization to allergens in children.
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Histone Acetylation of Immune Regulatory Genes in Human Placenta in Association with Maternal Intake of Olive Oil and Fish Consumption. Int J Mol Sci 2019; 20:ijms20051060. [PMID: 30823645 PMCID: PMC6429118 DOI: 10.3390/ijms20051060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2019] [Accepted: 02/26/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Maternal diet modifies epigenetic programming in offspring, a potentially critical factor in the immune dysregulation of modern societies. We previously found that prenatal fish oil supplementation affects neonatal T-cell histone acetylation of genes implicated in adaptive immunity including PRKCZ, IL13, and TBX21. In this study, we measured H3 and H4 histone acetylation levels by chromatin immunoprecipitation in 173 term placentas collected in the prospective birth cohort, ALADDIN, in which information on lifestyle and diet is thoroughly recorded. In anthroposophic families, regular olive oil usage during pregnancy was associated with increased H3 acetylation at FOXP3 (p = 0.004), IL10RA (p = 0.008), and IL7R (p = 0.007) promoters, which remained significant after adjustment by offspring gender. Furthermore, maternal fish consumption was associated with increased H4 acetylation at the CD14 gene in placentas of female offspring (p = 0.009). In conclusion, prenatal olive oil intake can affect placental histone acetylation in immune regulatory genes, confirming previously observed pro-acetylation effects of olive oil polyphenols. The association with fish consumption may implicate ω-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids present in fish oil. Altered histone acetylation in placentas from mothers who regularly include fish or olive oil in their diets could influence immune priming in the newborn.
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Lupinek C, Hochwallner H, Johansson C, Mie A, Rigler E, Scheynius A, Alm J, Valenta R. Maternal allergen-specific IgG might protect the child against allergic sensitization. J Allergy Clin Immunol 2019; 144:536-548. [PMID: 30685457 PMCID: PMC6689269 DOI: 10.1016/j.jaci.2018.11.051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2017] [Revised: 10/30/2018] [Accepted: 11/27/2018] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Analysis of allergen-specific IgE responses in birth cohorts with microarrayed allergens has provided detailed information regarding the evolution of specific IgE responses in children. High-resolution data regarding early development of allergen-specific IgG are needed. OBJECTIVE We sought to analyze IgG reactivity to microarrayed allergens in mothers during pregnancy, in cord blood samples, in breast milk, and in infants in the first years of life with the aim to investigate whether maternal allergen-specific IgG can protect against IgE sensitization in the offspring. METHODS Plasma samples from mothers during the third trimester, cord blood, breast milk collected 2 months after delivery, and plasma samples from children at 6, 12, and 60 months of age were analyzed for IgG reactivity to 164 microarrayed allergens (ImmunoCAP ISAC technology) in 99 families of the Swedish birth cohort Assessment of Lifestyle and Allergic Disease During Infancy (ALADDIN). IgE sensitizations to microarrayed allergens were determined at 5 years of age in the children. RESULTS Allergen-specific IgG reactivity profiles in mothers, cord blood, and breast milk were highly correlated. Maternal allergen-specific IgG persisted in some children at 6 months. Children's allergen-specific IgG production occurred at 6 months and reflected allergen exposure. Children who were IgE sensitized against an allergen at 5 years of age had significantly higher allergen-specific IgG levels than nonsensitized children. For all 164 tested allergens, children from mothers with increased (>30 ISAC standardized units) specific plasma IgG levels against an allergen had no IgE sensitizations against that allergen at 5 years of age. CONCLUSION This is the first detailed analysis of the molecular IgG recognition profile in mothers and their children in early life. High allergen-specific IgG reactivity in the mother's plasma and breast milk and in cord blood seemed to protect against allergic sensitization at 5 years of age.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christian Lupinek
- Division of Immunopathology, Department of Pathophysiology and Allergy Research, Center for Pathophysiology, Infectiology and Immunology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Heidrun Hochwallner
- Division of Immunopathology, Department of Pathophysiology and Allergy Research, Center for Pathophysiology, Infectiology and Immunology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Catharina Johansson
- Department of Clinical Science and Education, Södersjukhuset, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Axel Mie
- Department of Clinical Science and Education, Södersjukhuset, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Eva Rigler
- Division of Immunopathology, Department of Pathophysiology and Allergy Research, Center for Pathophysiology, Infectiology and Immunology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Annika Scheynius
- Department of Clinical Science and Education, Södersjukhuset, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden; Sachs' Children and Youth Hospital, Södersjukhuset, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Johan Alm
- Department of Clinical Science and Education, Södersjukhuset, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden; Sachs' Children and Youth Hospital, Södersjukhuset, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Rudolf Valenta
- Division of Immunopathology, Department of Pathophysiology and Allergy Research, Center for Pathophysiology, Infectiology and Immunology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria; NRC Institute of Immunology FMBA of Russia, Moscow, Russia; Laboratory for Immunopathology, Department of Clinical Immunology and Allergy, Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, Moscow, Russia.
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Nilsson SF, Lilja G, Järnbert-Pettersson H, Alm J. Relevance of low specific IgE levels to egg, milk and peanut in infancy. Clin Exp Allergy 2018; 49:308-316. [PMID: 30204271 DOI: 10.1111/cea.13273] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2017] [Revised: 07/12/2018] [Accepted: 07/29/2018] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND IgE sensitization is usually associated with allergy-related diseases, but may also occur in asymptomatic individuals. The clinical importance of IgE antibody concentrations in the interval 0.1-0.34 kU/L in early life in relation to allergy development is poorly evaluated. OBJECTIVE To assess the relevance of low specific IgE (s-IgE) to hen's egg, cow's milk and peanut at 6 months of age for development of sensitization and allergy-related disease during early childhood. METHODS s-IgE concentrations to relevant allergens from blood samples taken at 6 months and 1, 2 and 5 years from children in the prospective ALADDIN cohort were divided into three categories: non-sensitized (<0.1 kU/L), low sensitized (0.1-0.34 kU/L) and sensitized (≥0.35 kU/L) and allergy-related disease assessed. RESULTS A total of 372 children were included in this study. Compared with non-sensitized children at 6 months of age, children with low levels of allergen specific IgE (0.1-0.34 kU/L) to food allergens, especially to egg, at 6 months of age were associated with development of sensitization to aeroallergens at 5 years of age (10/14 [71%] vs 39/250 [15%]). In addition, children with low levels to egg or milk at 6 months were more often sensitized to the respective allergen at 1 year of age and, regarding low levels to egg, also to the development of eczema (6/18 [33%] vs 29/292 [10%]). CONCLUSION & CLINICAL RELEVANCE IgE antibody concentrations in the interval 0.1-0.34 kU/L to food allergens in infancy seem to increase the probability of sensitization to aeroallergens and, regarding low levels to egg, also of eczema during early childhood. Thus, IgE levels during the first year of life, although below 0.35 kU/L, can provide additional allergy-related prognostic information.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Fagerstedt Nilsson
- Department of Clinical Science and Education, Karolinska Institutet, Södersjukhuset, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Gunnar Lilja
- Department of Clinical Science and Education, Karolinska Institutet, Södersjukhuset, Stockholm, Sweden.,Sachs' Children and Youth Hospital, Södersjukhuset, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Hans Järnbert-Pettersson
- Department of Clinical Science and Education, Karolinska Institutet, Södersjukhuset, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Johan Alm
- Department of Clinical Science and Education, Karolinska Institutet, Södersjukhuset, Stockholm, Sweden.,Sachs' Children and Youth Hospital, Södersjukhuset, Stockholm, Sweden
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Swartz J, Aronsson B, Lindblad F, Järnbert-Pettersson H, Scheynius A, Pershagen G, Alm J. Vaccination and Allergic Sensitization in Early Childhood - The ALADDIN Birth Cohort. EClinicalMedicine 2018; 4-5:92-98. [PMID: 31193660 PMCID: PMC6537579 DOI: 10.1016/j.eclinm.2018.10.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2018] [Revised: 08/24/2018] [Accepted: 10/15/2018] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The increasing incidence of allergic diseases highlights the importance of finding underlying mechanisms. Early vaccination has been suggested as one influential factor. However, it is difficult to find a study group with a large variation between subjects concerning compliance to the official vaccination program. The anthroposophic lifestyle is of interest in this context. Moreover, cohort studies show that children of families with this lifestyle run a lower risk of allergic sensitization and allergy-related disease. METHODS From the prospective birth cohort ALADDIN we included one group from the anthroposophic community, with restrictive attitudes concerning vaccinations, and two other groups of age-matched children with more conventional parental lifestyles. In all, 466 children were followed from birth to five years of age. Detailed vaccination data and blood samples were collected at six months, one, two, and five years. Information was also obtained on risk factors for allergy. The outcome variable, allergic sensitization was defined as allergen-specific serum IgE levels ≥ 0.35 kUA/L. FINDINGS In a logistic regression model adjusted for socio-demographics and established allergy risk factors, vaccination at later age or having a lower number of injections or vaccines were associated with low OR for allergic sensitization during the first year of life. However, after adjustment for anthroposophic lifestyle, no statistically significant associations remained. The adjusted OR for sensitization at five years of age in children not receiving any vaccinations (n = 54) was 0.98 [95% CI 0.38-2.57]. INTERPRETATION We found no support for an association between early childhood vaccination and subsequent allergic sensitization. Our findings do not support scepticism towards early childhood vaccination motivated by allergy risk.
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Key Words
- ALADDIN
- ALADDIN, Assessment of Lifestyle and Allergic Diseases During INfancy
- Allergic sensitization
- Anthroposophic lifestyle
- DPPT, Diphtheria, Pertussis, Polio, Tetanus
- DTP, Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis
- DTaP, Diphtheria, Tetanus, acellular Pertussis
- Early childhood
- MCHC, Maternal and Child Healthcare Centres
- MMR, Measles, Mumps, Rubella
- NIP, the National Swedish Immunization Program
- OR, odds ratio
- Pentavac™, Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis, Polio, Haemophilus influenzae type b
- Tetravac™, Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis, Polio
- Vaccination
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Affiliation(s)
- Jackie Swartz
- Vidarkliniken, Järna, Sweden
- Corresponding author at: Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist, GP, Vidarkliniken, SE-15391 Järna, Sweden.
| | - Bernice Aronsson
- Sachs' Children and Youth Hospital, Södersjukhuset, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Frank Lindblad
- Department of Neuroscience, Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Hans Järnbert-Pettersson
- Karolinska Institutet, Department of Clinical Science and Education Södersjukhuset, Sachs' Children and Youth Hospital, Södersjukhuset, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Annika Scheynius
- Karolinska Institutet, Department of Clinical Science and Education Södersjukhuset, Sachs' Children and Youth Hospital, Södersjukhuset, Stockholm, Sweden
- Clinical Genomics, SciLifeLab, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Göran Pershagen
- Karolinska Institutet, Institute of Environmental Medicine, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Johan Alm
- Karolinska Institutet, Department of Clinical Science and Education Södersjukhuset, Sachs' Children and Youth Hospital, Södersjukhuset, Stockholm, Sweden
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Hurtado-Barroso S, Tresserra-Rimbau A, Vallverdú-Queralt A, Lamuela-Raventós RM. Organic food and the impact on human health. Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr 2017; 59:704-714. [PMID: 29190113 DOI: 10.1080/10408398.2017.1394815] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
In the last decade, the production and consumption of organic food have increased steadily worldwide, despite the lower productivity of organic crops. Indeed, the population attributes healthier properties to organic food. Although scientific evidence is still scarce, organic agriculture seems to contribute to maintaining an optimal health status and decreases the risk of developing chronic diseases. This may be due to the higher content of bioactive compounds and lower content of unhealthy substances such as cadmium and synthetic fertilizers and pesticides in organic foods of plant origin compared to conventional agricultural products. Thus, large long-term intervention studies are needed to determine whether an organic diet is healthier than a diet including conventionally grown food products. This review provides an update of the present knowledge of the impact of an organic versus a conventional food diet on health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Hurtado-Barroso
- a Department of Nutrition, Food Sciences and Gastronomy, School of Pharmacy and Food Sciences , University of Barcelona , Barcelona , Spain.,b CIBER Physiopathology of Obesity and Nutrition (CIBEROBN), Institute of Health Carlos III , Spain.,c INSA-UB, Nutrition and Food Safety Research Institute, University of Barcelona , Barcelona , Spain
| | - Anna Tresserra-Rimbau
- a Department of Nutrition, Food Sciences and Gastronomy, School of Pharmacy and Food Sciences , University of Barcelona , Barcelona , Spain.,b CIBER Physiopathology of Obesity and Nutrition (CIBEROBN), Institute of Health Carlos III , Spain.,c INSA-UB, Nutrition and Food Safety Research Institute, University of Barcelona , Barcelona , Spain
| | - Anna Vallverdú-Queralt
- a Department of Nutrition, Food Sciences and Gastronomy, School of Pharmacy and Food Sciences , University of Barcelona , Barcelona , Spain.,b CIBER Physiopathology of Obesity and Nutrition (CIBEROBN), Institute of Health Carlos III , Spain
| | - Rosa María Lamuela-Raventós
- a Department of Nutrition, Food Sciences and Gastronomy, School of Pharmacy and Food Sciences , University of Barcelona , Barcelona , Spain.,b CIBER Physiopathology of Obesity and Nutrition (CIBEROBN), Institute of Health Carlos III , Spain.,c INSA-UB, Nutrition and Food Safety Research Institute, University of Barcelona , Barcelona , Spain
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Mie A, Andersen HR, Gunnarsson S, Kahl J, Kesse-Guyot E, Rembiałkowska E, Quaglio G, Grandjean P. Human health implications of organic food and organic agriculture: a comprehensive review. Environ Health 2017; 16:111. [PMID: 29073935 PMCID: PMC5658984 DOI: 10.1186/s12940-017-0315-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 111] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2017] [Accepted: 10/02/2017] [Indexed: 05/08/2023]
Abstract
This review summarises existing evidence on the impact of organic food on human health. It compares organic vs. conventional food production with respect to parameters important to human health and discusses the potential impact of organic management practices with an emphasis on EU conditions. Organic food consumption may reduce the risk of allergic disease and of overweight and obesity, but the evidence is not conclusive due to likely residual confounding, as consumers of organic food tend to have healthier lifestyles overall. However, animal experiments suggest that identically composed feed from organic or conventional production impacts in different ways on growth and development. In organic agriculture, the use of pesticides is restricted, while residues in conventional fruits and vegetables constitute the main source of human pesticide exposures. Epidemiological studies have reported adverse effects of certain pesticides on children's cognitive development at current levels of exposure, but these data have so far not been applied in formal risk assessments of individual pesticides. Differences in the composition between organic and conventional crops are limited, such as a modestly higher content of phenolic compounds in organic fruit and vegetables, and likely also a lower content of cadmium in organic cereal crops. Organic dairy products, and perhaps also meats, have a higher content of omega-3 fatty acids compared to conventional products. However, these differences are likely of marginal nutritional significance. Of greater concern is the prevalent use of antibiotics in conventional animal production as a key driver of antibiotic resistance in society; antibiotic use is less intensive in organic production. Overall, this review emphasises several documented and likely human health benefits associated with organic food production, and application of such production methods is likely to be beneficial within conventional agriculture, e.g., in integrated pest management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Axel Mie
- Karolinska Institutet, Department of Clinical Science and Education, Södersjukhuset, 11883 Stockholm, Sweden
- Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU), Centre for Organic Food and Farming (EPOK), Ultuna, Sweden
| | - Helle Raun Andersen
- University of Southern Denmark, Department of Public Health, Odense, Denmark
| | - Stefan Gunnarsson
- Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU), Department of Animal Environment and Health, Skara, Sweden
| | - Johannes Kahl
- University of Copenhagen, Department of Nutrition, Exercise and Sports, Frederiksberg, Denmark
| | - Emmanuelle Kesse-Guyot
- Research Unit on Nutritional Epidemiology (U1153 Inserm, U1125 INRA, CNAM, Université Paris 13), Centre of Research in Epidemiology and Statistics Sorbonne Paris Cité, Bobigny, France
| | - Ewa Rembiałkowska
- Warsaw University of Life Sciences, Department of Functional & Organic Food & Commodities, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Gianluca Quaglio
- Scientific Foresight Unit (Science and Technology Options Assessment [STOA]), Directorate-General for Parliamentary Research Services (EPRS), European Parliament, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Philippe Grandjean
- University of Southern Denmark, Department of Public Health, Odense, Denmark
- Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Department of Environmental Health, Boston, USA
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22
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Brantsæter AL, Ydersbond TA, Hoppin JA, Haugen M, Meltzer HM. Organic Food in the Diet: Exposure and Health Implications. Annu Rev Public Health 2017; 38:295-313. [DOI: 10.1146/annurev-publhealth-031816-044437] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
The market for organic food products is growing rapidly worldwide. Such foods meet certified organic standards for production, handling, processing, and marketing. Most notably, the use of synthetic fertilizers, pesticides, and genetic modification is not allowed. One major reason for the increased demand is the perception that organic food is more environmentally friendly and healthier than conventionally produced food. This review provides an update on market data and consumer preferences for organic food and summarizes the scientific evidence for compositional differences and health benefits of organic compared with conventionally produced food. Studies indicate some differences in favor of organic food, including indications of beneficial health effects. Organic foods convey lower pesticide residue exposure than do conventionally produced foods, but the impact of this on human health is not clear. Comparisons are complicated by organic food consumption being strongly correlated with several indicators of a healthy lifestyle and by conventional agriculture “best practices” often being quite close to those of organic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne Lise Brantsæter
- Domain of Infection Control and Environmental Health, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, 0403 Norway;, ,
| | | | - Jane A. Hoppin
- Center for Human Health and Environment, Department of Biological Sciences, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina 27695
| | - Margaretha Haugen
- Domain of Infection Control and Environmental Health, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, 0403 Norway;, ,
| | - Helle Margrete Meltzer
- Domain of Infection Control and Environmental Health, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, 0403 Norway;, ,
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Rosenlund H, Fagerstedt S, Alm J, Mie A. Breastmilk fatty acids in relation to sensitization - the ALADDIN birth cohort. Allergy 2016; 71:1444-52. [PMID: 27043329 DOI: 10.1111/all.12896] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/17/2016] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Breastmilk fatty acids (FAs) have been associated with childhood allergic disease. Children of families with an anthroposophic lifestyle have a low prevalence of sensitization compared to reference groups. This study aimed to investigate whether the lower prevalence of sensitization among these children can be explained by the differences in breastmilk FA composition. METHODS The prospective birth cohort ALADDIN included 330 children from anthroposophic, partly anthroposophic and nonanthroposophic families recruited between 2004 and 2007 in Sweden. In total, 245 breastmilk samples, collected at 2 months of age, were analysed for FA composition. Allergen-specific IgE levels against seven common allergens were measured in the blood samples at the ages of 6, 12 and 24 months. Data were analysed longitudinally using generalized estimating equations. RESULTS An inverse association was observed between total concentration of omega-3 PUFA in breastmilk and sensitization in the child up to 24 months of age (highest vs lowest quartile, RRadj 0. 49, 95% CI 0.23-1.05, P for trend 0.024). No associations were observed between omega-6 PUFAs or ruminant FAs and sensitization. Overall, we observed 56% lower risks of sensitization among the anthroposophic group compared to the nonanthroposophic group (RRadj 0.44, 95% CI 0.21-0.90). This association remained largely unchanged when breastmilk omega-3 PUFA was included in the model. CONCLUSION Our results indicate that a higher concentration of omega-3 PUFAs in breastmilk may be associated with a reduced risk of sensitization up to 24 months of age; however, this did not explain the lower risk of sensitization among children of anthroposophic families.
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Affiliation(s)
- H. Rosenlund
- Department of Clinical Science and Education; Karolinska Institutet; Södersjukhuset; Stockholm Sweden
- Division of Clinical Nutrition and Dietetics; Department of Orthopedics; Danderyd Hospital; Stockholm Sweden
| | - S. Fagerstedt
- Department of Clinical Science and Education; Karolinska Institutet; Södersjukhuset; Stockholm Sweden
| | - J. Alm
- Department of Clinical Science and Education; Karolinska Institutet; Södersjukhuset; Stockholm Sweden
- Sachs' Children and Youth Hospital; Södersjukhuset; Stockholm Sweden
| | - A. Mie
- Department of Clinical Science and Education; Karolinska Institutet; Södersjukhuset; Stockholm Sweden
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Allergy-related disease in relation to early life exposures-the ALADDIN birth cohort. J Allergy Clin Immunol 2016; 139:686-688. [PMID: 27554820 DOI: 10.1016/j.jaci.2016.06.057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2015] [Revised: 06/07/2016] [Accepted: 06/10/2016] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
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Uusijärvi A, Alm J, Lindblad F, Olén O. Irritable bowel syndrome and functional abdominal pain in five-year-old children are related to lifestyle. Acta Paediatr 2016; 105:971-8. [PMID: 27135631 DOI: 10.1111/apa.13455] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2015] [Revised: 02/20/2016] [Accepted: 04/28/2016] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
AIM Abdominal pain of functional origin is very common in childhood, and environmental factors are thought to be of aetiologic importance. The anthroposophic lifestyle has dietary and lifestyle characteristics that may influence child health, and this study aimed to assess the effect of such lifestyles on abdominal pain of functional origin. METHODS A prospective Swedish lifestyle cohort (n = 470) was followed from birth to five years of age. Family lifestyles were characterised through questionnaires. Abdominal pain was defined as irritable bowel syndrome or functional abdominal pain according to the Rome III criteria and measured with parental questionnaires and interviews at the age of five. RESULTS The prevalence of abdominal pain was 15%. Children were more likely to have abdominal pain at five years of age if their family had a partly anthroposophic lifestyle, with an adjusted odds ratio (OR) of 2.61 (95% CI 1.15-5.93), or an anthroposophic lifestyle, with an adjusted OR of 2.34 (95% CI 0.96-5.70). CONCLUSION A family lifestyle with anthroposophic characteristics was associated with an increased risk of abdominal pain in five-year-old children. The mechanisms for this increase were unclear, but we speculate that there may have been different prerequisites for coping with stressors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Agneta Uusijärvi
- Astrid Lindgren children's Hospital; Karolinska University Hospital; Stockholm Sweden
- Department of Clinical Science and Education; Södersjukhuset; Karolinska Institutet; Stockholm Sweden
| | - Johan Alm
- Department of Clinical Science and Education; Södersjukhuset; Karolinska Institutet; Stockholm Sweden
- Sachs' Children and Youth Hospital; Södersjukhuset; Stockholm Sweden
| | - Frank Lindblad
- Department of Neuroscience; Child and Adolescent Psychiatry; Uppsala University; Uppsala Sweden
| | - Ola Olén
- Sachs' Children and Youth Hospital; Södersjukhuset; Stockholm Sweden
- Clinical Epidemiology Unit; Department of Medicine Solna; Karolinska Institutet; Stockholm Sweden
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Fagerstedt S, Hesla HM, Ekhager E, Rosenlund H, Mie A, Benson L, Scheynius A, Alm J. Anthroposophic lifestyle is associated with a lower incidence of food allergen sensitization in early childhood. J Allergy Clin Immunol 2015; 137:1253-1256.e3. [PMID: 26725995 DOI: 10.1016/j.jaci.2015.11.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2015] [Revised: 10/21/2015] [Accepted: 11/13/2015] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Sara Fagerstedt
- Karolinska Institutet, Department of Clinical Science and Education, Södersjukhuset, Stockholm, Sweden.
| | - Helena Marell Hesla
- Karolinska Institutet, Department of Clinical Science and Education, Södersjukhuset, Stockholm, Sweden; Sachs' Children and Youth Hospital, Södersjukhuset, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Emelie Ekhager
- Karolinska Institutet, Department of Clinical Science and Education, Södersjukhuset, Stockholm, Sweden; Sachs' Children and Youth Hospital, Södersjukhuset, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Helen Rosenlund
- Karolinska Institutet, Department of Clinical Science and Education, Södersjukhuset, Stockholm, Sweden; Division of Clinical Nutrition and Dietetics, Department of Orthopedics, Danderyd Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Axel Mie
- Karolinska Institutet, Department of Clinical Science and Education, Södersjukhuset, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Lina Benson
- Karolinska Institutet, Department of Clinical Science and Education, Södersjukhuset, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Annika Scheynius
- Karolinska Institutet, Department of Clinical Science and Education, Södersjukhuset, Stockholm, Sweden; Sachs' Children and Youth Hospital, Södersjukhuset, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Johan Alm
- Karolinska Institutet, Department of Clinical Science and Education, Södersjukhuset, Stockholm, Sweden; Sachs' Children and Youth Hospital, Södersjukhuset, Stockholm, Sweden
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Lipid mediator profile in vernix caseosa reflects skin barrier development. Sci Rep 2015; 5:15740. [PMID: 26521946 PMCID: PMC4629127 DOI: 10.1038/srep15740] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2015] [Accepted: 09/30/2015] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Vernix caseosa (VC) is a protective layer that covers the skin of most human newborns. This study characterized the VC lipid mediator profile, and examined its relationship to gestational period, gender of the newborn and maternal lifestyle. VC collected at birth from 156 newborns within the ALADDIN birth cohort was analyzed and 3 different groups of lipid mediators (eicosanoids and related oxylipin analogs, endocannabinoids and sphingolipids) were screened using LC-MS/MS. A total of 54 compounds were detected in VC. A number of associations between lipid mediators and the gestational period were observed, including increases in the ceramide to sphingomyelin ratio as well as the endocannabinoids anandamide and 2-arachidonoylglycerol. Gender-specific differences in lipid mediator levels were observed for all 3 lipid classes. In addition, levels of the linoleic acid oxidation products 9(10)-epoxy-12Z-octadecenoic and 12(13)-epoxy-9Z-octadecenoic acid (EpOMEs) as well as 12,13-dihydroxy-9Z-octadecenoic acid (DiHOME) were increased in VC of children from mothers with an anthroposophic lifestyle. Accordingly, VC was found to be rich in multiple classes of bioactive lipid mediators, which evidence lifestyle, gender and gestational week dependencies. Levels of lipid mediators in VC may therefore be useful as early stage non-invasive markers of the development of the skin as a protective barrier.
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Rindsjö E, Barber M, Theorell T, Lindblad F, Alm J, Scheynius A, Joerink M. Increased mRNA expression of glucocorticoid receptor-P in placenta is associated with a decreased risk of allergen sensitisation in the child. Acta Paediatr 2015; 104:638-40. [PMID: 25727847 PMCID: PMC4654250 DOI: 10.1111/apa.12990] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2015] [Accepted: 02/19/2015] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Erika Rindsjö
- Translational Immunology Unit, Department of Medicine, Karolinska Institutet and University Hospital, Solna, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Matthew Barber
- Translational Immunology Unit, Department of Medicine, Karolinska Institutet and University Hospital, Solna, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Töres Theorell
- Stress Research Institute, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Frank Lindblad
- Stress Research Institute, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Neuroscience, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Johan Alm
- Department of Clinical Science and Education, Karolinska Institutet, Section of Pediatrics, Södersjukhuset, Sachs' Children and Youth Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Annika Scheynius
- Translational Immunology Unit, Department of Medicine, Karolinska Institutet and University Hospital, Solna, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Maaike Joerink
- Translational Immunology Unit, Department of Medicine, Karolinska Institutet and University Hospital, Solna, Stockholm, Sweden
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Swartz J, Lindblad F, Arinell H, Theorell T, Alm J. Anthroposophic lifestyle and salivary cortisol are associated with a lower risk of sensitization during childhood. Pediatr Allergy Immunol 2015; 26:153-60. [PMID: 25620268 DOI: 10.1111/pai.12342] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/05/2015] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Infants from anthroposophic families have low cortisol levels and low risk of IgE-sensitization during first 2 years of life. Our aim was to study the impact of an anthroposophic lifestyle and cortisol levels at 6 months on allergy sensitization up to age 5 years. METHODS A total of 507 families participated from maternal healthcare centers. Parental lifestyle was categorized as anthroposophic, partly anthroposophic, or non-anthroposophic. Blood samples for analyzes of sensitization were obtained from parents at inclusion and from children at 6, 12, 24, and 60 months. Salivary samples were collected at home at 6 months. RESULTS Sensitization increased from 2.9% to 26.0% in the anthroposophic group, from 8.4% to 26.8% in the partly anthroposophic group, and from 19.1% to 44.1% in the non-anthroposophic group. Children from anthroposophic families had lower cortisol levels in the morning, afternoon, and evening. The odds ratio (OR) for anthroposophic lifestyle was always <1 and lowest at 12 months (OR, 0.10; 95% CI, 0.03-0.36). Adjusting for cortisol levels at 6 months increased these ORs at 12 and 24 months. At the same ages, ORs for sensitization were elevated also for cortisol levels at 6 months. Analyzes in children not sensitized at 6 months confirmed the cortisol-related risk of sensitization. CONCLUSIONS Children from families with an anthroposophic lifestyle have lower risk than comparisons of developing sensitization up to 5 years. This risk is partially explained by low cortisol levels during infancy. High cortisol levels at 6 months predict sensitization up to 24 months.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jackie Swartz
- Department of Neuroscience, Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden; Vidarkliniken and Integrative Care Science Centre, Järna, Sweden
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Fagerstedt S, Kippler M, Scheynius A, Gutzeit C, Mie A, Alm J, Vahter M. Anthroposophic lifestyle influences the concentration of metals in placenta and cord blood. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2015; 136:88-96. [PMID: 25460625 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2014.08.044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2014] [Revised: 08/13/2014] [Accepted: 08/15/2014] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
Allergic diseases develop in genetically susceptible individuals in a complex interplay with the environment, usually early in life. We have previously shown that the anthroposophic lifestyle is associated with reduced risk of allergic disease in children, but details on the influencing environmental factors are largely unknown. This study aims to elucidate if anthroposophic lifestyle influences fetal exposure to selected toxic and essential elements. Randomly selected non-smoking mothers with (n=40) and without (n=40) anthroposophic lifestyle from the prospective birth cohort ALADDIN were included. Concentrations of 12 toxic and essential elements were analyzed in full term placentas and in the erythrocyte fractions of maternal peripheral blood and of umbilical cord blood, using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Cadmium concentrations in maternal blood and placenta were significantly higher in mothers with an anthroposophic lifestyle (p<0.001), while concentrations in cord blood were generally low, irrespective of lifestyle. Cobalt concentrations were higher in both maternal blood, placenta and cord blood in the anthroposophic group. Lead concentrations were higher in maternal blood and cord blood, but not placenta, of mothers with anthroposophic lifestyle. Analysis of covariance, including lifestyle, parity, maternal age, gestational age, vegetarian diet, use of herbal medicine and occupation in the model, showed that mainly the anthroposophic lifestyle was significantly associated with cadmium concentrations. In conclusion, women with an anthroposophic lifestyle had higher concentrations of cadmium, cobalt and lead concentrations. Cadmium concentrations might have been influenced by a diet rich in vegetables and/or low iron status of the mothers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Fagerstedt
- The Department of Clinical Science and Education, Södersjukhuset, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Maria Kippler
- Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Box 210, 171 77 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Annika Scheynius
- Department of Medicine Solna, Translational Immunology Unit, Karolinska Institutet and University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Cindy Gutzeit
- Department of Medicine Solna, Translational Immunology Unit, Karolinska Institutet and University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Axel Mie
- The Department of Clinical Science and Education, Södersjukhuset, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Johan Alm
- The Department of Clinical Science and Education, Södersjukhuset, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden; Sachs' Children and Youth Hospital, Södersjukhuset, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Marie Vahter
- Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Box 210, 171 77 Stockholm, Sweden.
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Hesla HM, Stenius F, Jäderlund L, Nelson R, Engstrand L, Alm J, Dicksved J. Impact of lifestyle on the gut microbiota of healthy infants and their mothers - the ALADDIN birth cohort. FEMS Microbiol Ecol 2014; 90:791-801. [DOI: 10.1111/1574-6941.12434] [Citation(s) in RCA: 81] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2014] [Revised: 09/29/2014] [Accepted: 09/30/2014] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Helena M. Hesla
- Sachs' Children and Youth Hospital; Södersjukhuset; Stockholm Sweden
- Department of Clinical Science and Education Södersjukhuset; Karolinska Institutet; Stockholm Sweden
| | - Fredrik Stenius
- Sachs' Children and Youth Hospital; Södersjukhuset; Stockholm Sweden
- Department of Clinical Science and Education Södersjukhuset; Karolinska Institutet; Stockholm Sweden
| | - Lotta Jäderlund
- Department of Microbiology; Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences; Uppsala Sweden
| | - Ronald Nelson
- Department of Clinical Sciences; Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences; Uppsala Sweden
| | - Lars Engstrand
- Department of Microbiology, Tumour and Cell Biology; Karolinska Institutet; Stockholm Sweden
| | - Johan Alm
- Sachs' Children and Youth Hospital; Södersjukhuset; Stockholm Sweden
- Department of Clinical Science and Education Södersjukhuset; Karolinska Institutet; Stockholm Sweden
| | - Johan Dicksved
- Department of Microbiology; Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences; Uppsala Sweden
- Department of Animal Nutrition and Management; Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences; Uppsala Sweden
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Hochwallner H, Alm J, Lupinek C, Johansson C, Mie A, Scheynius A, Valenta R. Transmission of allergen-specific IgG and IgE from maternal blood into breast milk visualized with microarray technology. J Allergy Clin Immunol 2014; 134:1213-5. [PMID: 25439230 PMCID: PMC4220005 DOI: 10.1016/j.jaci.2014.08.041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2014] [Accepted: 08/21/2014] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Heidrun Hochwallner
- Division of Immunopathology, Department of Pathophysiology and Allergy Research, Medical University of Vienna, Austria
| | - Johan Alm
- Department of Clinical Science and Education, Södersjukhuset, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden; Sachs' Children and Youth Hospital, Södersjukhuset, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Christian Lupinek
- Division of Immunopathology, Department of Pathophysiology and Allergy Research, Medical University of Vienna, Austria
| | - Catharina Johansson
- Department of Medicine Solna, Translational Immunology Unit, Karolinska Institutet and University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Axel Mie
- Department of Clinical Science and Education, Södersjukhuset, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Annika Scheynius
- Department of Medicine Solna, Translational Immunology Unit, Karolinska Institutet and University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Rudolf Valenta
- Division of Immunopathology, Department of Pathophysiology and Allergy Research, Medical University of Vienna, Austria.
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Torregrosa Paredes P, Gutzeit C, Johansson S, Admyre C, Stenius F, Alm J, Scheynius A, Gabrielsson S. Differences in exosome populations in human breast milk in relation to allergic sensitization and lifestyle. Allergy 2014; 69:463-71. [PMID: 24428462 DOI: 10.1111/all.12357] [Citation(s) in RCA: 88] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/04/2013] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Breast-feeding has many beneficial effects on the developing immune system of the newborn. Breast milk contains immunoregulatory factors, such as nano-sized vesicles named exosomes. This study aimed at characterizing breast milk exosomes from human early milk and mature milk and to investigate whether allergic sensitization and an anthroposophic lifestyle could influence the exosome profile. METHODS Breast milk was collected from 22 mothers at day 3-8 and from 61 mothers at 2 months postpartum, all part of the ALADDIN birth cohort. Isolated exosomes were captured on anti-MHC-class II- or anti-CD63 beads and analyzed by flow cytometry. Exosomal phenotype was related to lifestyle and allergic sensitization of the mothers, and sensitization of the child at 2 years of age. RESULTS We found a higher content of exosomes in early milk compared with mature milk. Early milk exosomes were enriched in HLA-DR molecules and displayed significantly lower levels of HLA-ABC compared with those in mature milk. Phenotypically different subpopulations of exosomes were found in mature milk. Significantly lower levels of MUC1 were detected on CD63-enriched exosomes from sensitized mothers compared with nonsensitized. Furthermore, women with an anthroposophic lifestyle had significantly lower MUC1 expression on their HLA-DR-enriched milk exosomes and up-regulated levels of CD63 on CD63-enriched exosomes compared with nonanthroposophic mothers. Notably, mothers whose children developed sensitization had an increased amount of HLA-ABC on their milk exosomes enriched for CD63. CONCLUSIONS The phenotype of exosomes in breast milk varies with maternal sensitization and lifestyle, which might influence allergy development in the child.
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Affiliation(s)
- P. Torregrosa Paredes
- Department of Medicine Solna; Translational Immunology Unit; Karolinska Institutet and University Hospital; Stockholm Sweden
| | - C. Gutzeit
- Department of Medicine Solna; Translational Immunology Unit; Karolinska Institutet and University Hospital; Stockholm Sweden
| | - S. Johansson
- Department of Medicine Solna; Translational Immunology Unit; Karolinska Institutet and University Hospital; Stockholm Sweden
| | - C. Admyre
- Department of Medicine Solna; Translational Immunology Unit; Karolinska Institutet and University Hospital; Stockholm Sweden
| | - F. Stenius
- Department of Clinical Science and Education; Karolinska Institutet; Södersjukhuset; Sachs’ Children and Youth Hospital; Stockholm Sweden
| | - J. Alm
- Department of Clinical Science and Education; Karolinska Institutet; Södersjukhuset; Sachs’ Children and Youth Hospital; Stockholm Sweden
| | - A. Scheynius
- Department of Medicine Solna; Translational Immunology Unit; Karolinska Institutet and University Hospital; Stockholm Sweden
| | - S. Gabrielsson
- Department of Medicine Solna; Translational Immunology Unit; Karolinska Institutet and University Hospital; Stockholm Sweden
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Holm T, Rutishauser D, Kai‐Larsen Y, Lyutvinskiy Y, Stenius F, Zubarev RA, Agerberth B, Alm J, Scheynius A. Protein biomarkers in vernix with potential to predict the development of atopic eczema in early childhood. Allergy 2014; 69:104-12. [PMID: 24205894 PMCID: PMC4226386 DOI: 10.1111/all.12308] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/28/2013] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Background Atopic eczema (AE) is a chronic inflammatory skin disease, which has increased in prevalence. Evidence points toward lifestyle as a major risk factor. AE is often the first symptom early in life later followed by food allergy, asthma, and allergic rhinitis. Thus, there is a great need to find early, preferentially noninvasive, biomarkers to identify individuals that are predisposed to AE with the goal to prevent disease development. Objective To investigate whether the protein abundances in vernix can predict later development of AE. Methods Vernix collected at birth from 34 newborns within the Assessment of Lifestyle and Allergic Disease During INfancy (ALADDIN) birth cohort was included in the study. At 2 years of age, 18 children had developed AE. Vernix proteins were identified and quantified with liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry. Results We identified and quantified 203 proteins in all vernix samples. An orthogonal projections to latent structures-discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA) model was found with R2 = 0.85, Q2 = 0.39, and discrimination power between the AE and healthy group of 73.5%. Polyubiquitin-C and calmodulin-like protein 5 showed strong negative correlation to the AE group, with a correlation coefficient of 0.73 and 0.68, respectively, and a P-value of 8.2 E-7 and 1.8 E-5, respectively. For these two proteins, the OPLS-DA model showed a prediction accuracy of 91.2%. Conclusion The protein abundances in vernix, and particularly that of polyubiquitin-C and calmodulin-like protein 5, are promising candidates as biomarkers for the identification of newborns predisposed to develop AE.
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Affiliation(s)
- T. Holm
- Translational Immunology Unit Department of Medicine Solna Karolinska Institutet University Hospital Stockholm Sweden
| | - D. Rutishauser
- Physiological Chemistry I Department of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics Karolinska Institutet Stockholm Sweden
- SciLifeLab Stockholm Sweden
| | - Y. Kai‐Larsen
- Physiological Chemistry II Department of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics Karolinska Institutet Stockholm Sweden
| | - Y. Lyutvinskiy
- Physiological Chemistry I Department of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics Karolinska Institutet Stockholm Sweden
| | - F. Stenius
- Department of Clinical Science and Education Karolinska Institutet Södersjukhuset, Sachs′ Children and Youth Hospital Stockholm Sweden
| | - R. A. Zubarev
- Physiological Chemistry I Department of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics Karolinska Institutet Stockholm Sweden
- SciLifeLab Stockholm Sweden
| | - B. Agerberth
- Physiological Chemistry II Department of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics Karolinska Institutet Stockholm Sweden
| | - J. Alm
- Department of Clinical Science and Education Karolinska Institutet Södersjukhuset, Sachs′ Children and Youth Hospital Stockholm Sweden
| | - A. Scheynius
- Translational Immunology Unit Department of Medicine Solna Karolinska Institutet University Hospital Stockholm Sweden
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Fischer HF, Binting S, Bockelbrink A, Heusser P, Hueck C, Keil T, Roll S, Witt C. The effect of attending steiner schools during childhood on health in adulthood: a multicentre cross-sectional study. PLoS One 2013; 8:e73135. [PMID: 24069175 PMCID: PMC3771992 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0073135] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2012] [Accepted: 07/23/2013] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND It is speculated that attending Steiner schools, whose pedagogical principles include an account for healthy psycho-physical development, may have long-term beneficial health effects. We examined whether the current health status differed between former attendees of German Steiner schools and adults from the general population. Furthermore, we examined factors that might explain those differences. METHODS We included former Steiner school attendees from 4 schools in Berlin, Hanover, Nuremberg and Stuttgart and randomly selected population controls. Using a self-report questionnaire we assessed sociodemographics, current and childhood lifestyle and health status. Outcomes were self-reports on 16 diseases: atopic dermatitis, allergic rhinitis, bronchial asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), cardiac arrhythmia, cardiac insufficiency, angina pectoris, arteriosclerosis, hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, osteoarthritis, rheumatism, cancer, diabetes, depression and multiple sclerosis. Furthermore, participants rated the symptom burden resulting from back pain, cold symptoms, headache, insomnia, joint pain, gastrointestinal symptoms and imbalance. Unadjusted and adjusted odds ratios were calculated for each outcome. RESULTS 1136 Steiner school attendees and 1746 controls were eligible for analysis. Both groups were comparable regarding sex, age and region, but differed in nationality and educational status. After adjusting for possible confounders, we found statistically significant effects of Steiner school attendance for osteoarthritis (OR 0.69 [0.49-0.97]) and allergic rhinitis (OR 0.77, [0.59-1.00]) as well as for symptom burden from back pain (OR 0.80, [0.64-1.00]), insomnia (OR 0.65, [0.50-0.84]), joint pain (OR 0.62, [0.48-0.82]), gastrointestinal symptoms (OR 0.76, [0.58-1.00]) and imbalance (OR 0.60, [0.38-0.93]). CONCLUSIONS The risk of most examined diseases did not differ between former Steiner school attendees and the general population after adjustment for sociodemographics, current and childhood lifestyle features, but symptom burden from some current health complaints was reported less by former Steiner school attendees. Results must be interpreted with caution since the analysis was exploratory.
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Affiliation(s)
- H. Felix Fischer
- Institute for Social Medicine, Epidemiology and Health Economics, Charité University Medical Center, Berlin, Germany
| | - Sylvia Binting
- Institute for Social Medicine, Epidemiology and Health Economics, Charité University Medical Center, Berlin, Germany
| | - Angelina Bockelbrink
- Institute for Social Medicine, Epidemiology and Health Economics, Charité University Medical Center, Berlin, Germany
| | - Peter Heusser
- Chair for Theory of Medicine, Integrative and Anthroposophic Medicine, Faculty of Health, Witten/Herdecke University, Germany
| | - Christoph Hueck
- Freie Hochschule Stuttgart – Seminar für Waldorfpädagogik, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Thomas Keil
- Institute for Social Medicine, Epidemiology and Health Economics, Charité University Medical Center, Berlin, Germany
| | - Stephanie Roll
- Institute for Social Medicine, Epidemiology and Health Economics, Charité University Medical Center, Berlin, Germany
| | - Claudia Witt
- Institute for Social Medicine, Epidemiology and Health Economics, Charité University Medical Center, Berlin, Germany
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Swartz J, Alm J, Theorell T, Lindblad F. Parental Sense of Coherence in the first 2 years of life is not related to parental and child diurnal cortisol rhythm or proxies of anthroposophic lifestyle. Acta Paediatr 2013; 102:920-4. [PMID: 23837661 DOI: 10.1111/apa.12318] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2013] [Revised: 04/29/2013] [Accepted: 06/10/2013] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
Abstract
AIM Sense of Coherence (SOC) is hypothesized to have direct physiological consequences on endocrine and immunological processes. In this study, we compare parental SOC scores from pregnancy in groups of infants and parents representing different lifestyles (anthroposophic, partly anthroposophic and nonanthroposophic). We also analyse whether these could predict cortisol levels of the parents and their infants at 6-24 months postpartum. METHODS Parental SOC-13 was collected during the third trimester of pregnancy from a birth cohort of families with different lifestyles. Salivary samples were collected from the whole family when the child was 6 months (n = 210), 12 (n = 178) and 24 months of age (n = 149), and cortisol levels were analysed with radioimmunoassay technique. RESULTS Sense of Coherence scores did not differ between the three lifestyle groups, and there were no correlations between SOC scores and salivary cortisol concentrations in separate analyses of mothers, fathers and children at any sampling age or at any sampling time during the day (morning, afternoon, bedtime). CONCLUSION Sense of Coherence scores did not vary in parents with different lifestyles and were not associated with salivary cortisol levels in parents or in children.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jackie Swartz
- Department of Neuroscience; Uppsala University; Uppsala Sweden
- The Integrative Care Science Centre; Järna Sweden
| | - Johan Alm
- Department of Clinical Science and Education Södersjukhuset; Karolinska Institutet; Sachs′ Children and Youth Hospital; Stockholm Sweden
| | - Töres Theorell
- Stress Research Institute; Stockholm University; Stockholm Sweden
| | - Frank Lindblad
- Department of Neuroscience; Uppsala University; Uppsala Sweden
- Stress Research Institute; Stockholm University; Stockholm Sweden
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Hesla HM, Gutzeit C, Stenius F, Scheynius A, Dahl H, Linde A, Alm J. Herpesvirus infections and allergic sensitization in children of families with anthroposophic and non-anthroposophic lifestyle - the ALADDIN birth cohort. Pediatr Allergy Immunol 2013; 24:61-5. [PMID: 23331530 DOI: 10.1111/pai.12030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/30/2012] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Growing up in families with an anthroposophic lifestyle has been associated with reduced risk of allergic disease in children. The aim of this report was to assess whether children with this lifestyle are infected earlier with Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), which has been associated with reduced risk of allergic disease, and three other herpesviruses potentially involved in allergy development, namely Human herpesvirus 6 (HHV6), Human herpesvirus 7 (HHV7) and cytomegalovirus (CMV). METHODS Within the ALADDIN (Assessment of Lifestyle and Allergic Disease During Infancy), birth cohort study 157 children were categorized according to lifestyle into anthroposophic and non-anthroposophic. IgG-levels for EBV, HHV6, HHV7 and CMV were determined in plasma samples collected at ages 12 and 24 months and from parents. IgE levels against seven common allergens were analyzed at 24 months. RESULTS No significant differences in seroprevalence of EBV, HHV7 or CMV were detected at any age between the two lifestyle groups. The seroprevalence of HHV6 was significantly lower in the anthroposophic group at 24 months of age (74.6% vs. 87.5%, p-value 0.048). Further, no significant associations between allergic sensitization and seropositivity to any of the viruses were detected; however, an interaction effect of lifestyle could not be ruled out. CONCLUSIONS Our results indicate that there is no strong influence of exposure to the anthroposophic lifestyle on the time for infection with EBV, HHV6, HHV7 or CMV. These infections can therefore not be assumed to be important factors in the allergy-protective effect of this lifestyle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Helena Marell Hesla
- Department of Clinical Science and Education, Södersjukhuset, Karolinska Institutet, Sachs' Children and Youth Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden.
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Abstract
AIM To analyse salivary cortisol levels in 12- and 24-month-olds from families with an anthroposophic lifestyle and comparisons ('partly anthroposophic' and 'non-anthroposophic'). METHODS Salivary samples were collected at child ages of 12 (n = 178) and 24 (n = 149) months. Cortisol was analysed with radioimmunoassay technique. RESULTS Evening cortisol levels in children from anthroposophic families were lower than in comparisons at 12 months of age (geometric means: anthroposophic 1.7, partly anthroposophic 1.9, non-anthroposophic 3.6 nmol/L; p = 0.024) and at 24 months of age (1.1, 1.8 and 2.9 nmol/L, respectively; p = 0.002). At 24 months of age, similar differences were noted also for the afternoon levels (2.3, 3.3 and 3.9 nmol/L, respectively; p = 0.043). At age 12 months, the differences in the evening cortisol were statistically explained by a meat-free diet and at age 24 months by the anthroposophic lifestyle as such. The circadian variations were parallel in the three groups at age 12 and 24 months. No cortisol differences were observed between parents representing different lifestyles. CONCLUSIONS An anthroposophic lifestyle is associated with low cortisol levels in the evening at age 12 and 24 months, at age 24 months also in the afternoon.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jackie Swartz
- Uppsala University, Department of Neuroscience, Uppsala, Sweden.
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Slaats GG, Reinius LE, Alm J, Kere J, Scheynius A, Joerink M. DNA methylation levels within the CD14 promoter region are lower in placentas of mothers living on a farm. Allergy 2012; 67:895-903. [PMID: 22564189 DOI: 10.1111/j.1398-9995.2012.02831.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/20/2012] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Epigenetic regulation has been suggested to be a link between environmental intrauterine exposures and development of asthma and allergy. The placenta is an essential part of the intrauterine environment. We have previously found the innate immune receptor CD14 to be differentially expressed on the mRNA level in placentas in relation to lifestyle and parental allergen sensitization. We here hypothesized that the promoter region of CD14 may be subject to differential DNA methylation and therefore a link between intrauterine exposure and mRNA expression. METHODS Ninety-four placentas from the ALADDIN (Assessment of Lifestyle and Allergic Disease During Infancy) study were investigated. We used methylation-sensitive high-resolution melting (MS-HRM) analysis to semi-quantitatively analyze the DNA methylation of the promoter region of CD14 in 36 placentas known to have different CD14 mRNA expression. EpiTYPER was used to validate the MS-HRM data and to analyze an additional 58 placentas selected on mothers living on a farm or not. RESULTS MS-HRM analysis on 36 placenta samples revealed a relation between methylation of the CD14 promoter region with the level of CD14 mRNA expression. The MS-HRM and EpiTYPER data correlated highly significantly. EpiTYPER analysis of the additional 58 placentas demonstrated that DNA methylation in the CD14 promoter was significantly lower in placentas of mothers living on a farm compared with mothers not living on a farm. CONCLUSION Our data suggest that epigenetic regulation of CD14 in placenta might be involved in the protective effect of 'living on a farm', with regard to allergy development.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Lovisa E. Reinius
- Department of Biosciences and Nutrition; Karolinska Institutet; Stockholm; Sweden
| | - Johan Alm
- Department of Clinical Science and Education; Karolinska Institutet, Södersjukhuset, Sachs' Children's Hospital; Stockholm; Sweden
| | | | - Annika Scheynius
- Department of Medicine Solna; Translational Immunology Unit, Karolinska Institutet; Stockholm; Sweden
| | - Maaike Joerink
- Department of Medicine Solna; Translational Immunology Unit, Karolinska Institutet; Stockholm; Sweden
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Dubakiene R, Rudzeviciene O, Butiene I, Sezaite I, Petronyte M, Vaicekauskaite D, Zvirbliene A. Studies on early allergic sensitization in the Lithuanian birth cohort. ScientificWorldJournal 2012; 2012:909524. [PMID: 22606067 PMCID: PMC3346832 DOI: 10.1100/2012/909524] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2011] [Accepted: 12/04/2011] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Cohort studies are of great importance in defining the mechanism responsible for the development of allergy-associated diseases, such as atopic dermatitis, allergic asthma, and allergic rhinoconjunctivitis. Although these disorders share genetic and environmental risk factors, it is still under debate whether they are linked or develop sequentially along an atopic pathway. The current study was aimed to determine the pattern of allergy sensitization in the Lithuanian birth cohort "Alergemol" (n = 1558) established as a part of the multicenter European birth cohort "EuroPrevall". Early sensitization to food allergens in the "Alergemol" birth cohort was analysed. The analysis revealed 1.3% and 2.8% of symptomatic-sensitized subjects at 6 and 12 months of age, respectively. The sensitization pattern in response to different allergens in the group of infants with food allergy symptoms was studied using allergological methods in vivo and in vitro. The impact of maternal and environmental risk factors on the early development of food allergy in at 6 and 12 months of age was evaluated. Our data showed that maternal diet, diseases, the use of antibiotics, and tobacco smoke during pregnancy had no significant impact on the early sensitization to food allergens. However, infants of atopic mothers were significantly more often sensitized to egg as compared to the infants of nonatopic mothers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruta Dubakiene
- Vilnius University Faculty of Medicine, University Street 3, Vilnius, Lithuania.
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Affiliation(s)
- I. Lehmann
- Department of Environmental Immunology; UFZ - Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research Leipzig; Leipzig; Germany
| | - G. Herberth
- Department of Environmental Immunology; UFZ - Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research Leipzig; Leipzig; Germany
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Stenius F, Borres M, Bottai M, Lilja G, Lindblad F, Pershagen G, Scheynius A, Swartz J, Theorell T, Alm J. Salivary cortisol levels and allergy in children: The ALADDIN birth cohort. J Allergy Clin Immunol 2011; 128:1335-9. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jaci.2011.07.038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2011] [Revised: 07/01/2011] [Accepted: 07/08/2011] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
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