New research findings
The following studies were presented in March 2003 at the 60th Anniversary Meeting of the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (AAAAI). The AAAAI is the largest professional medical specialty organization in the U.S. representing allergists, asthma specialists, clinical immunologists, allied health professionals and others with a special interest in the research and treatment of allergic disease.
High fat diets increase child's risks for allergies and asthma
Children with high fat diets could be at an increased risk for developing allergies and asthma, researchers said. The rising prevalence of asthma and allergic disease remains unexplained and dietary intake has been suggested as one of the possible contributing factors. The study compared the dietary intake of children ages 3 to 5 years who were atopic and had a history of recurrent wheeze to that of non-atopic children who had never wheezed.
No significant differences were found in total daily energy, protein, carbohydrate or total fat intakes between the two groups. However, daily polyunsaturated fat intake was found to be significantly higher in the atopic group. Daily cholesterol, saturated and monounsaturated fat intakes were similar between the two groups. No significant differences were found in intake of any other nutrients (including vitamins, minerals and anti-oxidants) between the two groups.
Dog exposure may prolong the onset of allergies
Exposing a child to a dog, but not a cat, in the first year of life may prolong the development of allergies, researchers reported. To determine the immunologic effects of cat and/or dog ownership during the first year of life, Claudia Rock and colleagues from the University of Wisconsin, compared pet ownership, patterns of cytokine secretions (which are the proteins secreted by human immune system cells) and RAST (radioallergosobent test) results at age 1 year in 286 children enrolled in the Childhood Origins of Asthma (COAST) study.
Their research data suggests that having a dog, but not a cat, in the first year of life is associated with higher cytokine secretion, reduced allergen sensitization as well as the development of the immune system during infancy, perhaps delaying the development of allergic sensitization.
Asthma and obesity
The discovery of a new gene involved in asthma may provide a link between the development of asthma and obesity. Asthma and obesity often occur in the same patients. The gene Resistin like molecule beta (RELM - ß), belongs to a family of similar proteins that have been found to cause insulin resistance and obesity in mice. The gene has also been found to occur in the lungs of mice with asthma, possibly linking the two conditions.
Genetic variation may predispose African Americans to asthma
A genetic variation may predispose African Americans to asthma, according to new research. In an initial search for genetic factors, screenings of more than 350 markers across the human genome provided evidence of linkage to markers on Chromosome 11 in African Americans, but not in Caucasian American families.
Specific gene variation in asthma, food allergy patients
New findings show that people with asthma and food allergy have a specific variation of the gene CD14, which contributes to their allergic symptoms and reactivity. Researchers found that food allergy patients were nearly 4 times more likely to have two copies of the T version (TT genotype) of the CD14 promoter. They also found that non-allergic asthmatic patients were five times more likely to have the TT genotype than the control group. The findings suggest a new relationship between the immune system and allergic disease.
