[Assessment of the BALB/c mice as a suitable animal model for the investigation of food allergy].

OBJECTIVE

This study was to develop a suitable model for the investigation for food allergy.

METHODS

BALB/c mice were dosed by intraperitoneally with Ovalbumin, Beef serum albumin, Trypsin inhibitor and Potato acid phosphatase respectively (0.25ml 20mg/mnl) on day 0 and again on day 7. Control group was dosed with PBS. Sera form individual animals were analysed for specific IgE and Passive cutaneous anaphylaxis tests. Additionally, the level of histamine in plasma were detected.

RESULTS

The high titres of specific IgE (1: 32) could be provoked in test groups compared with control group. In addition, the level of histamine in plasma of test groups was higher than that in the control group. But there was no statistical significance between group food allergen and group Potato acid phosphatase.

CONCLUSIONS

Although allergic action of BALB/c mice could be provoked, the situation of the allergic action of BALB/c mice to the proteins was very different with the human being. The BALB/c mice could not be a suitable model for the investigation for food allergy.