I don't remember who asked about allergy shots and such, but this came in my inbox this morning: Antigens in breast milk may help infants develop tolerance to allergens, study suggests. HYPERLINK "http://recp.mkt32.net/ctt?kn=28&m=814956&r=ODE4NTA5MjAzS0&b=0&j=NDQ0OTcwNTg S1&mt=2&rj=NDQ0OTcwNTgS1"Bloomberg (1/28, Cortez) reports that, according to a study appearing online in the journal Nature Medicine, "[l]actating mothers produce breast milk that contains antigens, substances that stimulate the immune system." Children exposed to these antigens may in turn develop a tolerance to certain allergens, according to investigators at France's Institut National de la Sante et de la Recherche Medicale. This finding is "an important piece of evidence to a charged debate as to whether breastfeeding helps protect a child against asthma," notes the HYPERLINK "http://recp.mkt32.net/ctt?kn=31&m=814956&r=ODE4NTA5MjAzS0&b=0&j=NDQ0OTcwNTg S1&mt=2&rj=NDQ0OTcwNTgS1"AFP (1/28). Experimenting with lactating mice, the research team suggests that "[b]reast-feeding induced tolerance may rely on both the chronic administration of an antigen at a low dose, a setting known to promote tolerance induction, and the presence of milk-borne [protein] TGF beta (transforming growth factor-beta)." Currently, there is some "evidence that being breastfed lowers the risk of becoming asthmatic, but other studies have failed to find this," the HYPERLINK "http://recp.mkt32.net/ctt?kn=12&m=814956&r=ODE4NTA5MjAzS0&b=0&j=NDQ0OTcwNTg S1&mt=2&rj=NDQ0OTcwNTgS1"BBC (1/28) adds. Yet, according to the French group, their "study may pave the way for the design of new strategies to prevent the development of allergic diseases." For the study, the group "used an allergen called ovalbumin -- a protein found in egg whites" -- which they "allowed the mothers of newborn mice to breathe in." According to the HYPERLINK "http://recp.mkt32.net/ctt?kn=39&m=814956&r=ODE4NTA5MjAzS0&b=0&j=NDQ0OTcwNTg S1&mt=2&rj=NDQ0OTcwNTgS1"Telegraph (1/28), the "ovalbumin [was then] transferred from the mother" to infant through breast milk. But the team found that "TGF beta, which suppresses the immune system, and white blood cells called CD4+ T lymphocytes, were responsible for training a young immune system not to over-react to [the] allergen." Researcher Valérie Julia, M.D. said that this result is "protection from allergic airway disease." The research team "suspects the same goes for hay fever too." Dr. Julia added, "We believe that this will also work since breast feeding induces protection against sensitization to allergens which is the first step before developing clinical symptoms such as dermatitis, rhinitis, or asthma." Immunotherapy may help patients build resistance to allergens. HYPERLINK "http://recp.mkt32.net/ctt?kn=50&m=814956&r=ODE4NTA5MjAzS0&b=0&j=NDQ0OTcwNTg S1&mt=2&rj=NDQ0OTcwNTgS1"HealthDay (1/27, Preidt) reported that patients with "allergic asthma, rhinitis, conjunctivitis, or stinging insect allergies" could "be...good candidate[s] for allergy shots, also known as immunotherapy," according to a recommendation released by the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (AAAAI). Dr. Linda Cox, chair of the AAAAI's Immunotherapy and Allergy Diagnostics Committee, said, "Patients who receive immunotherapy are injected with increasing amounts of an allergen until the target therapeutic dose is reached, in an effort to build resistance to specific allergens." The relief experienced by patients after such injections "can last long after completion of treatment and that immunotherapy helps prevent the development of new allergies, and may prevent the progression of allergic rhinitis to asthma," Cox added. Tara Guy, CHA/PA-C, HBCE, IBCLC HYPERLINK "http://www.rockymountainbaby.com/"www.rockymountainbaby.com helping mothers birth and parent from the heart "You must be the change you wish to see in the world." Mahatma Ghandi No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.5.516 / Virus Database: 269.19.14/1247 - Release Date: 1/28/2008 10:59 AM *********************************************** Archives: http://community.lsoft.com/archives/LACTNET.html To reach list owners: [log in to unmask] Mail all list management commands to: [log in to unmask] COMMANDS: 1. To temporarily stop your subscription write in the body of an email: set lactnet nomail 2. To start it again: set lactnet mail 3. To unsubscribe: unsubscribe lactnet 4. To get a comprehensive list of rules and directions: get lactnet welcome