Possible pathogenetic mechanisms producing bovine milk protein inducible malabsorption: a hypothesis.

The feeding of bovine milk to five highly allergic pediatric patients with bilateral family histories of atopy led to transient malabsorption of glucose and fat as well as systemic autonomic functional changes which may be attributable to pharmacologic actions of histamine and/or acetylcholine. It is hypothesized that during allergic reactions endogenously released smooth muscle stimulating neuromediators could provide rapid propulsion of nutrients through the absorbing portion of the gut, leading to suboptimal absorption, and that bovine milk inducible malabsorption in the atopic patients has an immuno-pharmacologic basis in its pathogenesis.