Inhibiting inflammation with milk oligosaccharides
A method of inhibiting inflammation in a subject comprising the administration of milk oligosaccharides or glycoconjugates containing milk oligosaccharides is disclosed.
1. A method of treating ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease, or irritable bowel syndrome, comprising administering to a subject in need thereof an effective amount of a composition consisting essentially of an oligosaccharide selected from the group consisting of:
(i) 2′-fucosyllactose,
and
(ii) a variant thereof, which is identical to the oligosaccharide except that the reducing end is N-acetylglucosamine instead of glucose.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the 2′-fucosyllactose or variant thereof is conjugated with a carbohydrate, a lipid, a polypeptide, or a peptide to form a glycoconjugate.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the subject suffers from or is at risk for ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease, or irritable bowel syndrome.
4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the composition is formulated for oral administration.
5. The method of claim 4 , wherein the composition further contains a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier and a lubricating agent.
6. The method of claim 5 , wherein the composition further contains a sweetening agent, a flavoring agent, a coloring agent, or a combination thereof.
7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the 2′-fucosyllactose or variant thereof is synthesized chemically, isolated from milk, or produced by a microorganism.