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Objective: The aim of this work was to study the biochemical characteristics of coconut milk and its antigenic effect on the Balb/c mice immunized with α-lactalbumin protein, as well as its consequences on the structure of the intestinal epithelium.Methods: To achieve the objective of the study, an electrophoresis was realised on a polyacrylamide gel to determine various proteins contained in coconut milk. In addition, Lowry's method was used to determine the amount of proteins in the formula. The antigenicity of coconut milk in sera was also studied using the Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) method. For the histological study, 21 w-old mice Balb/c were used and distributed in three groups of 7 mice each. Group 1, received a standard feed with no treatment (Negative control), group 2 and 3 received respectively a standard feed (Positive control) and coconut milk for a period of 28 d after being immunized with α-lactalbumin.Results: Analysis of the data revealed that the rate of proteins of cow's milk is higher than that of the coconut milk (0.001 ≤ p ≤ 0.01). However, after carrying out the electrophoresis analysis, the coconut milk showed the absence of intact proteins. The anti α-Lactalbumin IgG titers significantly increased in positive control groups that received coconut milk (p<0.0001). Moreover, there was an increase of the intestinal villi height of mice fed with coconut milk, in the structure level of their intestinal epithelium compared to the negative control group. Conclusion:The findings of the study provide the evidence that coconut milk is a possible alternative to the cow's milk formula in case of allergy.

In this work the effect of coconut milk on mice sensitized to cow's milk proteins was evaluated. Balb/c mice treated orally for twenty eight days with coconut milk were sensitized intraperitoneally with β-lactoglobulin (β-Lg) or α-Lactoglobulin (α-Lac). We used Ussing chamber to analyze ex vivo electrical parameters characterizing the intestinal tissue of mice by measuring the variations of the short current circuit Isc (μA/cm2) as well as the epithelial conductance (G). Jejunal fragments of sensitized and treated mice were mounted in Ussing chamber and stimulated by the deposit of β-Lg or α-Lac. Symptom scores were determined after in vivo challenge to β-Lg or α-Lac. Intestinal damage was assessed by histological analysis. Coconut milk influ-enced the electrophysiological parameters by significantly decreasing the short-circuit current (Isc) (p < 0.001) and the epithelial conductance ((p< 0.01 and (p < 0.001, respectively). Moreover, in coconut milk-treated mice, no significant clinical symptoms were observed. Analysis of histological sections revealed that coconut milk reduced the microscopic lesions induced by β-Lg or α-Lac sensitization. We speculate that the administration of coconut milk could prevent the systemic and anaphylactic responses in sensitized mice.

In epidemiological studies, cow’s milk protein allergy (CMPA) is the most prevalent allergy for infants or young children.This study was conducted to compare the effect of Soummam and Saifi fermented milks on mice sensiti-zed to whey protein (β –Lactoglobulin and α –Lactalbumin). During 28 days, the animals from the first and second lot received via an oral way the fer-mented milks. In a second period of time, mice from the first, second lots were sensitized via intraperitoneal way using β-Lg, mice from third and fourth lot were sensitized by α–Lactalbumin. The antigenecity was deter-mined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Symptom scores were determined after in vivo challenge with β-Lg or α-Lac. Intestinal da-mage was evaluated by histological analysis. Analysis of the data revealed that the titers of anti-α-lactalbumin and anti-β-lactoglbulin IgG increased significantly in the positive control groups given Soummam and Saifi fer-mented milk (p <0.001). Moreover, in fermented milk-treated mice, signifi-cant clinical symptoms were observed. Analysis of histological sections re-vealed that fermented milk doesn’t reduce the microscopic lesions induced by β-Lg or α-Lac sensitzation. This study indicated that the administration of Soummam fermented milk can modulate effectively the immune response and protect the intestinal epithelium integrity.