Immunological Impact of a Gluten-Free Dairy-Free Diet in Children With Kidney Disease: A Feasibility Study.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to investigate the immunological impact and safety of a gluten-free and dairy-free (GF/DF) diet in children with steroid-resistant nephrotic syndrome (SRNS).
Results Summary
The GF/DF diet had a major anti-inflammatory effect in all participants, increasing the T regulatory/T helper 17 cells ratio by 4-fold and promoting a favorable regulatory gut microbiota.
Population
Children with steroid-resistant nephrotic syndrome (SRNS).
Effective Dosage
Not specified
Duration
Four weeks
Interactions
None mentioned
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
gluten-free and dairy-free (GF/DF) diet | decrease | inflammation | children with SRNS | - | had a major anti-inflammatory effect | #1 |
gluten-free and dairy-free (GF/DF) diet | increase | T regulatory/T helper 17 cells ratio | all participants | 4-fold | 4-fold increase | #2 |
gluten-free and dairy-free (GF/DF) diet | increase | favorable regulatory gut microbiota | - | - | promotion | #3 |
GF/DF | decrease | inflammation | children with SRNS | - | can have a significant anti-inflammatory effect | #4 |
Kidney disease affects 10% of the world population and is associated with increased mortality. Steroid-resistant nephrotic syndrome (SRNS) is a leading cause of end-stage kidney disease in children, often failing standard immunosuppression. Here, we report the results of a prospective study to investigate the immunological impact and safety of a gluten-free and dairy-free (GF/DF) diet in children with SRNS. The study was organized as a four-week summer camp implementing a strict GF/DF diet with prospective collection of blood, urine and stool in addition to whole exome sequencing WES of DNA of participants. Using flow cytometry, proteomic assays and microbiome metagenomics, we show that GF/DF diet had a major anti-inflammatory effect in all participants both at the protein and cellular level with 4-fold increase in T regulatory/T helper 17 cells ratio and the promotion of a favorable regulatory gut microbiota. Overall, GF/DF can have a significant anti-inflammatory effect in children with SRNS and further trials are warranted to investigate this potential dietary intervention in children with SRNS.