No difference in symptoms and receptor expression in lactose-intolerant and in milk-hypersensitive subjects following intake of homogenized and unhomogenized milk

Theoretically, unhomogenized milk compared to homogenized milk may be better tolerated by milk-hypersensitive subjects due to different distribution of protein particles in fat droplets. We studied whether symptoms and complement receptor expression are different following unhomogenized milk, homogenized milk or milk-free drink in milk-hypersensitive, lactose-intolerant and healthy subjects. In a randomized, double-blind, cross-over study, lactose-intolerant subjects (n = 6), milk-hypersensitive subjects with immune-mediated reactions and mainly abdominal symptoms (n = 8) and control subjects (n = 8) were challenged with homogenized milk, unhomogenized milk and milk-free placebo drink. Each challenge period took 3 days. Subjects recorded their symptoms, and complement receptor expressions (CR1 and CR3) were measured before and after the challenges using flow cytometry. No statistical differences were observed in either the symptoms or receptor expression between challenge periods in any of the groups. It is unlike that homogenization of milk is a major factor determining abdominal reactions in lactose-intolerant and in milk-hypersensitive subjects. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.