Ann Arbor Times

A study from the University of Michigan has identified a potential new treatment for food allergies in inulin, a naturally occurring plant fiber commonly used as a supplement, prebiotic in soda, and replacement for sweeteners. The paper published in Nature Materials describes inulin gel-based oral immunotherapy’s success in stopping allergic reactions in mice by targeting bacteria in the gut. The gel prevented severe allergic reactions during and after administration, including reactions to common triggers such as peanuts, egg whites, and milk.

The research was conducted by an international team of scientists specializing in pharmaceutical sciences, biomedical and chemical engineering, internal medicine, and other fields. It proposes that inulin gel addresses the root cause of food allergies rather than just managing symptoms.

James Moon from U-M’s College of Pharmacy led the research. He has studied inulin’s potential to treat disease for years. "Inulin, a widely consumed dietary fiber recognized as safe by the FDA, forms the basis of the gel, making it a feasible and translatable option for clinical use," said Moon. While further research and clinical trials are needed to test the findings, the study emphasizes the role of small intestine microbiota and metabolites in food allergy regulation.

As many as 1 in 3 adults and more than 1 in 4 children have food allergies according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Food allergies have become a significant concern globally due to accidental exposure triggering severe reactions.

The research found that specifically formulated with an allergen, normalized imbalanced intestinal microbiota and metabolites led to allergen-specific oral tolerance. “The therapy showed long-lasting protection even after cessation of treatment,” said Fang Xie, a graduate student who also led the studies.

Inulins are polysaccharides found in over 36,000 plant species including wheat, onion, asparagus, and chicory. They are also being researched for their role in treating cancerous tumors, gastrointestinal illnesses, diabetes among other diseases.

Researchers involved represent institutions including University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center; Dongguk University; Michigan State University; University of Washington; WPI Immunology Frontier Research Center at Osaka University; Biointerfaces Institute at U-M; departments of Pharmaceutical Sciences; Biomedical Engineering; Chemical Engineering; Internal Medicine at U-M; Mary H. Weiser Food Allergy Center at U-M.

Moon declares financial interests related to EVOQ Therapeutics Inc., Saros Therapeutics Inc., while other authors declare no competing interests.

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