Research
A Translational Approach
The ImmunonutritionLab is at the forefront of biomedical innovation thanks not only to its basic research activity, but also to the development and testing of new protocols.
The ImmunonutritionLab integrates basic and clinical research through a translational approach: laboratory findings are quickly translating into clinical therapies and procedures (bench to bedside).
Its commitment to the improvement of clinical practice is proven by numerous ongoing clinical trials and by many new study proposals submitted from Industries. These activities have steadily grown during the years thanks to the support provided by the patients’ fidelity and Industries estimation.
Clinical
Studies
Clinical Studies
Butyrate Against Pediatric Obesity - The BAPO trial
Diagnostic Accuracy and Safety of DBV1605 for the Diagnosis of Non-IgE Cow’s Milk Allergy in Children - APTITUDE
Dysbalanced polynsatured fatty acids metabolism in cow’s milk allergy: new clues for pathogenesis understanding and dietary treatment in food allergy
Effects of the Mediterranean Diet during pregnancy on epigenetic modulation of genes involved in obesity and allergy in the offspring - The PREMEDI trial
Epidemiology of Pediatric Italian Food Allergy: THE EPIFA Study
Gut Microbiome As Target of intervention against Obesity and Metabolic Syndrome – MATOMS
Gut microbiota, nutrition and adverse reactions to food in children with Autism Spectrum Disorders
Impact of Nutritional Counseling in children with Autistic Spectrum Disorder
Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a complex group of behavioral disorders characterized by defects in social interaction and communication associated with repetitive behaviors. Alterations in nutritional status, eating habits and adverse reactions to food appear to be common in children with ASD. Randomized prospective study whose main objective is the evaluation of the impact of a nutritional intervention on the reduction of food selectivity and as secondary the evaluation of the improvement of eating habits, adherence to the Mediterranean Diet, auxological parameters and quality of life of parents. [ClinicalTrial.gov link]
Natural history and pathophysiological mechanisms of non-IgE mediated gastrointestinal food allergies in the pediatric age - The NIGEFA Project
Microbiota As Target against Food Allergy - The MATFA study
Probiotic L.rhamnosus GG for Pediatric Atopic Dermatitis - ProPAD trial
Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a multifactorial, chronic inflammatory skin disorder that results in areas of dry, itchy skin. AD is typified by defective skin barrier function with activation of abnormal immunological and inflammatory pathways upon exposure to ubiquitous environmental allergens. Specific probiotics have been shown to normalize intestinal permeability, to counteract intestinal immune dysfunction and to normalize gut dysbiosis. The aim of this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study is to evaluate the efficacy of the most studied probiotic in the pediatric allergy field – L.rhamnosus GG – in children affected by atopic dermatitis. [ClinicalTrial.gov link]
PSC-DS DG BABY 18
Step Down Approach in children with Cow’s Milk Allergy - SDACMA STUDY
Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a multifactorial, chronic inflammatory skin disorder that results in areas of dry, itchy skin. AD is typified by defective skin barrier function with activation of abnormal immunological and inflammatory pathways upon exposure to ubiquitous environmental allergens. Specific probiotics have been shown to normalize intestinal permeability, to counteract intestinal immune dysfunction and to normalize gut dysbiosis. The aim of this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study is to evaluate the efficacy of the most studied probiotic in the pediatric allergy field – L.rhamnosus GG – in children affected by atopic dermatitis. [ClinicalTrial.gov link]
The influence of dietary intervention on epigenetic mechanisms in children with cow's milk allergy: the EPICMA II study
Epigenetic mechanisms could drive the disease course of cow’s milk allergy (CMA) and formula choice could modulate these mechanisms. Our group demonstrated a significant difference in DNA methylation of T helper (Th)1/Th2 cytokine and of FoxP3 genes, concomitantly an up-regulation of microRNAs involved in Th1/Treg response, in children who acquired immune tolerance after treatment with extensively hydrolyzed casein formula containing the probiotic L.rhamnosus GG compared to soy formula. EPICMA II aims to evaluate the effect of other different formulas available for the dietary treatment of CMA on epigenetic mechanisms in CMA children. [ClinicalTrial.gov link]
The Quality of Life of Mothers of Children with Food Allergy
The treatment of FA is based on a rigorous elimination diet and on the correct management of acute allergic reactions. The daily management of a correct elimination diet and a possible allergic reaction, entail a significant burden and high levels of anxiety and stress in mothers of children with FA, resulting in an impact on Quality of Life (QoL). The objectives of the study are to validate the Italian version of two specific questionnaires for food allergies and to explore the potential differences in the QoL of mothers of children with FA followed by a multidisciplinary team. [ClinicalTrial.gov link]
Preclinical
studies
Preclinical studies
A new butyrate releaser exerts a protective action against SARS-CoV-2 infection in human intestine
Butyrate is a major gut microbiome metabolite that regulates several defense mechanisms against infectious diseases. Alterations in gut microbiome, leading to reduced butyrate production have been reported in patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection. We investigated the protective action of this compound against SARS-CoV-2 infection in human small intestine and enterocytes, focusing on the relevant aspects of the infection.
Cell surface polysaccharides from fermented cow milk with L.paracasei CBAL74 on non-immune and immune defense mechanisms
How junk food can contribute to the food allergy epidemic: potential role of advanced glycation end products (AGEs)
Current hypotheses and models of food allergy (FA) do not adequately explain the dramatic increase observed in the last years. It has been hypothesized that advanced glycation endproducts (AGEs), present at high level in junk food (sugars, roasted/barbecued meat), could be involved in FA pathogenesis. The aim of our project is to evaluate the subcutaneous AGEs levels and the correlation with dietary habit in children with challenge-proven FA, children with respiratory allergy and age and sex-matched healthy controls. Pathogenetic mechanisms elicited by AGEs were also investigated in a cellular model of human enterocytes and in peripheral blood mononuclear cells from children at risk for atopy. [ClinicalTrial.gov link]
Postbiotic approach for the prevention of Rotavirus acute gastroenteritis: a preclinical study
Rotavirus (RV) is the leading cause of severe childhood acute gastroenteritis (AGE). Each year, RV is responsible for about 25 million clinic visits, two million hospital admissions, and 180 000–450 000 deaths in children under 5 years of age globally. Clinical evidences suggest the potential of the postbiotic approach based on cow milk fermentation with the probiotic L. paracasei CBAL74 (FM-CBAL74) in preventing pediatric infectious diseases. The aim of this study is to evaluate the preventive action elicited by FM-CBAL74 against Rotavirus-induced AGE in a well-established in vitro model of human enterocytes. [ClinicalTrial.gov link]
Protective effects elicited by cow milk fermented with L.Paracasei CBAL74 against SARS-CoV-2 infection in human enterocytes
The immunomodulatory effects of bacterial components from L.rhamnosus GG against food allergy
The potential role of advanced glycation end products (AGEs) in the he pathogenesis of Eosinophilic Esophagitis
Eosinophilic Esophagitis (EoE) is dramatically increased in the last two decades. The pathogenesis of EoE is incompletely understood but involves genetic, environmental, and host immune system factors. One increasingly recognized and potentially pathogenic component of ultra-processed foods is a group of posttranslational modifications known as advanced glycation endproducts (AGEs). We aimed to investigate the effects of AGEs in esophagus organ culture from children on inflammatory and immune response.
The protective action of the gut metabolite butyrate against atopic dermatitis
Tolerogenic effect elicited by protein fraction derived from different formulas for dietary treatment of cow’s milk allergy in human cells
Several formulas are available for the dietary treatment of cow’s milk allergy (CMA). Formulas available for CMA treatment differ mainly regarding the protein fraction features, such as source (cow’s milk, soy, or rice), degree and procedure of hydrolysis. Clinical data suggest potential different effect on immune tolerance elicited by these formulas. The aim of this study is to comparatively evaluate the tolerogenic effect elicited by the protein fraction of different formulas available for the dietary treatment of CMA. [ClinicalTrial.gov link]