Objective: Protein allergenicity was investigated in BN rat model.
Methods: OVA or BSA was administered i.p. (1 mg/ml) or orally (10 mg/ml) to male BN rats for 6 weeks. In different intervals, blood samples were obtained from the orbital plexus for PCA and histamine determination. In addition, blood pressure of rats in OVA-treated group and control group was measured.
Results: Relatively high titres (1/32-1/128) IgE responses were provoked by administration of OVA, while BSA stimulated only low titres (1/2-1/4) IgE. Compared with the controls, the plasma histamine concentrations of OVA groups were higher. An oral challenge with OVA did not induce a clear effect on blood pressure in the majority of rats. However, two rats demonstrated a temporary drop in blood pressure.
Conclusion: BN rat model may be a suitable animal model to determine protein allergenicity.