Good Research news for Treating Peanut Food Allergy

Good Research news for Treating Peanut Food Allergy

This is very good news for all Peanut Food Allergy sufferers. Before we see this study let us see what is all about peanut food allergy.

What is Peanut Food Allergy?

Peanut allergy is common, especially in children. Peanut allergy symptoms can range from a minor irritation to a life-threatening reaction (anaphylaxis). For some people with peanut allergy, even tiny amounts of peanuts can cause a serious reaction. If you or your child has had a reaction to peanuts, tell your doctor about it. Peanut allergy is one of the most common causes of severe allergy attacks. It's important to get even a minor reaction to peanuts checked out. Even if you or your child has had only a mild allergic reaction in the past, there's still a risk of a more serious future reaction.

What are Symptoms?

 

Skin reactions, such as hives, redness or swelling

Itching or tingling in or around the mouth and throat

Digestive problems, such as diarrhea, stomach cramps, nausea or vomiting

Tightening of the throat

Shortness of breath or wheezing

Runny nose

Anaphylaxis: A life-threatening reaction

Peanut allergy is the most common cause of food-induced anaphylaxis, a medical emergency that requires treatment with an epinephrine (adrenaline) injector (EpiPen, Twinject) and a trip to the emergency room.

Anaphylaxis signs and symptoms can include all the above, plus:

 

Constriction of airways

Swelling of your throat that makes it difficult to breathe

A severe drop in blood pressure (shock)

Rapid pulse

Dizziness, lightheadedness or loss of consciousness

When to see a doctor

Talk to your doctor if you think you could be allergic to peanuts, especially if you had a severe reaction.

 

Seek emergency treatment if you have a severe reaction to peanuts, especially if you have any signs or symptoms of anaphylaxis. Call 911 or your local emergency number if you or someone else displays severe dizziness, severe trouble breathing or loss of consciousness

Causes Peanut allergy

Peanut allergy occurs when your immune system mistakenly identifies peanut proteins as something harmful. When you have direct or indirect contact with peanuts, your immune system releases symptom-causing chemicals into your bloodstream. It isn't known exactly why some people become allergic to peanuts and others don't.

Exposure to peanuts can occur in different ways:

Direct contact

The most common cause of peanut allergy is eating peanuts or peanut-containing foods. Sometimes direct skin contact with peanuts can trigger an allergic reaction.

Cross-contact

This is the unintended introduction of peanuts into a product. It's generally the result of a food being exposed to peanuts during processing or handling.

Inhalation

An allergic reaction may occur if you inhale dust or aerosols containing peanuts, such as that of peanut flour or peanut oil cooking spray.

New Research- New Target Found For Treating Peanut Food Allergy

A groundbreaking target has been discovered for the treatment of food allergies, according to a new study in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology. Researchers at National Jewish Health have found levels of the enzyme Pim 1 kinase increase in the small intestines of mice with peanut allergies. Blocking activity of Pim 1 significantly lessened the allergic response to peanuts. Previous research has told us that around four percent of Americans have a food allergy. Allergic reactions to food generally cause symptoms such as hives, vomiting, difficulty breathing, or most severely, anaphylaxis. If a person with a peanut allergy consumes peanuts, the proteins enter the bloodstream via the intestines and cause a full-body immune response. A reaction can occur within minutes or hours of eating peanuts. First clues of a reaction can include: sneezing, tingling sensation on the lips, tongue, and throat, followed by a look of paleness, feeling sick, warm, or light-headed. People with asthma who also have a peanut allergy are more likely to develop life-threatening reactions. The cause of peanut allergies are not yet known.

Dr. Gelfand, senior author and chair of pediatrics at National Jewish Health says, "Pim 1, and its associated transcription factor, Runx3, play a crucial role in allergic reactions to peanuts. As such, they offer promising new targets for the treatment of allergic reactions to peanuts, and possibly other foods. Pim 1 kinase contributes to several signaling pathways and is expressed in T cells and eosinophils, types of cells associated with allergic diseases. Runx3 is a transcription influence connected with the regulation of T cells. The researchers used a mouse model of food allergy and discovered that Pim 1 kinase levels increased in the intestines of allergic mice that consumed peanuts, as well as other inflammatory cells and levels of cytokine molecules that are linked to allergies. However, levels of Runx3 mRNA, decreased in the allergic mice. When the researchers issued a small molecule that blocks the activity of Pim 1 kinase, the mice did not experience diarrhea and other symptoms characterized by their peanut allergy. A powerful cause of allergy symptoms, plasma levels of histamine, fell to about baseline levels after administration of AR460770, made by Array Biopharma. Eosinophils, inflammatory mast cells, and CD4 and CD8 T cells all rose only moderately, in reaction to peanuts. Various cytokine signaling molecule levels associated with allergies, IL-13, IL-6, and IL-4, also fell after treatment with the Pim 1 blocker. Runx3 mRNA increased almost back to baseline levels.

Dr. Gelfand concludes, “Our data identified for the first time that Pim1 kinase contributes in important ways to the development of peanut-induced allergic responses. Targeting this novel regulatory axis involving Pim 1 kinase and Runx3 offers new therapeutic opportunities for the control of food-induced allergic reactions."

(Source- Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology)