Allergic asthma is one of the most common chronic diseases of the airways, however it still remains underdiagnosed and hence undertreated. Therefore, an allergic asthma rat model would be useful to be applied in future therapeutic strategy studies. The aim of the present study was to develop an objective model of allergic asthma in atopic rats that allows the induction and quantification of anaphylactic shock with quantitative variables. Female Brown Norway rats were intraperitoneally sensitized with ovalbumin (OVA), alum and Bordetella pertussis toxin and boosted a week later with OVA in alum. At day 28, all rats received an intranasal challenge with OVA. Anaphylactic response was accurately assessed by changes in motor activity and body temperature. Leukotriene concentration was determined in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF), and total and IgE anti-OVA antibodies were quantified...

Cocoa contains bioactive components, which vary according to genetic and environmental factors. The present study aimed to ascertain the anti-allergic properties of native Peruvian cocoa populations (“Blanco de Piura” or BPC, “Amazonas Peru” or APC, “Criollo de Montaña” or CMC, “Chuncho” or CCC, and an ordinary cocoa or OC). To do so, after an initial in vitro approach, an in vivo study focused on the induction of an anaphylactic response associated with allergic asthma in Brown Norway rats was carried out. Based on their polyphenol content, antioxidant activity and in vitro effects, the APC and CMC were selected to be included in the in vivo study. Cocoa diets were tested in a model of allergic asthma in which anaphylactic response was assessed by changes in body temperature, motor activity and body weight. The concentration of specific immunoglobulin E (IgE), mast cell...