Researchers identify biological links to reduced childhood asthma and allergy risks

Researchers have identified biological mechanisms that may reduce the risk of childhood allergies and asthma. A study published in Nature Microbiology by the Technical University of Denmark (DTU) found that certain bifidobacteria in the intestines of infants during their first months of life are linked to lower food allergen sensitization. These bacteria produce a metabolite called 4-hydroxyphenyl lactate (4-OH-PLA), which was shown in laboratory tests to reduce the production of immunoglobulin E (IgE)—an antibody associated with allergic reactions—by 60%.

The study, which followed 147 children from Sweden, Germany, and Australia, also noted that vaginal birth, exclusive breastfeeding, and contact with other young children were factors that increased the abundance of these beneficial bacteria. DTU has patented the use of this metabolite for potential allergy and asthma treatments.

In a related area of research, investigators from the University of Copenhagen and the Copenhagen Prospective Studies on Childhood Asthma (COPSAC) have linked maternal fatty acid levels to respiratory health. Their findings suggest that if pregnant women lack measurable amounts of the fatty acid 12-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid (12-HETE) in their blood, there is a higher incidence of childhood asthma within the first year of life.