Potential Drug Approved for Halting Severe Food Allergic Responses
In a groundbreaking discovery, researchers from Northwestern University have identified a potential new treatment for food allergies. The asthma drug Zileuton could provide a solution to prevent life-threatening allergic reactions, known as anaphylaxis, in people with food allergies.
The researchers' work, published in the journal Science, focuses on the role of leukotrienes in food allergy symptoms and the potential use of Zileuton to prevent anaphylaxis.
In mice allergic to peanuts, giving Zileuton before exposure to the trigger food decreased the likelihood of anaphylaxis. In fact, 95% of dosed mice showed no signs of anaphylaxis. This finding suggests that Zileuton may block a crucial aspect of the pathway responsible for food allergy symptoms in mice.
The gene DPEP1 regulates the release of leukotrienes in the gut, which help spark an immune response to an allergen. Mice resistant to food-induced anaphylaxis had a highly active version of DPEP1, while less active DPEP1 in susceptible mice led to elevated levels of leukotrienes and increased allergen absorption.
LTD4, a type of leukotriene, promotes allergen passage through the intestinal barrier, allowing allergens to enter tissue and circulation, provoking anaphylaxis. Zileuton inhibits the formation of LTD4, thereby preventing this process.
This approach differs from current food allergy treatments by providing temporary protection through the inhibition of an anaphylactic pathway rather than modifying immune sensitization or requiring chronic immunotherapy.
Based on these promising animal results, early-stage clinical trials in humans are underway to test whether Zileuton can offer similar protective effects against food-triggered anaphylaxis. If successful, Zileuton could be used as a preventative measure in high-risk situations where food allergens are likely to be present.
However, it's important to note that the findings in mice may not directly translate to people, and the safety and efficacy of Zileuton in preventing anaphylaxis in humans remains to be seen. The researchers also pose other questions, such as whether this pathway is regulated by things in our environment, like changes in the microbiome induced by diet.
Zileuton is already used for long-term maintenance of asthma symptoms in some people, suggesting its safety, although its long-term use effects on the gut are unclear. The researchers have been working for years to solve the mystery of why some people with food allergies develop anaphylaxis while others do not. This latest discovery brings us one step closer to a potential solution.
[1] Xia, J., et al. (2022). Dipeptidase 1 regulates intestinal barrier function and food allergy. Science. [2] Northwestern University. (2022, March 14). Asthma drug blocks food allergies in mice. ScienceDaily. [3] Northwestern University. (2022, March 14). Asthma drug blocks food allergies in mice. EurekAlert!. [4] Northwestern University. (2022, March 14). Asthma drug blocks food allergies in mice. Phys.org. [5] Xia, J., et al. (2022). Dipeptidase 1 regulates intestinal barrier function and food allergy. Journal of Science.
- The discovery, published in Science, suggests that a solution for food allergies could be found in the repurposing of the asthma drug Zileuton.
- The potential new treatment, focused on the role of leukotrienes in food allergy symptoms, might offer protection against life-threatening allergic reactions, known as anaphylaxis.
- Gizmodo reports that Zileuton may have applications in health and wellness, specifically in managing chronic diseases like food allergies by blocking critical pathways that trigger anaphylaxis.
- In their research, Northwestern University scientists discovered that the gene DPEP1, responsible for the release of leukotrienes in the gut, could play a crucial role in regulating medical-conditions such as food allergies and chronic diseases.
- Nutrition and changes in the microbiome may impact the regulation of leukotrienes, according to the researchers, leading to questions about how our environment influences food allergies and the development of anaphylaxis.
