Ganoderma lucidum dry extract supplementation modulates T lymphocyte function in older women.

Ganoderma lucidum (a mushroom used in traditional Chinese medicine) compounds may attenuate ageing-related physiological changes and restore normal immunity. However, studies on the physiological effects of Ganoderma lucidum dry extract food supplements are few. Therefore, here, we aimed to investigate the effects of Ganoderma lucidum dry extract food supplement on the lymphocyte function of older women. This was a double-blind clinical trial (n 60) with a final 39 older volunteers, divided into two groups Ganoderma lucidum (n 23) and placebo (n 16). The Ganoderma lucidum group received 2000 mg/d of Ganoderma lucidum dry extract for 8 weeks. We used flow cytometry to determine the lymphocyte profile. CD4+ lymphocyte gene expression was evaluated by real-time polymerase chain reaction. We observed that in the Ganoderma lucidum group, concanavalin A stimulation increased lymphocyte proliferation. Further, we observed an increase in expression of Forkhead box P3, transforming growth factor-beta, IL-10, IL-6, retinoic acid receptor-related orphan receptor gamma, GATA-binding protein 3 and interferon gamma genes in the Ganoderma lucidum group. Furthermore, in the Ganoderma lucidum group, ionomycin and phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate stimulation led to decrease in Th17+ cells and increase in Th2+ cells. Thus, in older women, Ganoderma lucidum regulates T lymphocyte function leading to a predominant anti-inflammatory action but does not induce T lymphocyte proliferation through CD28 signalling pathway.

Insulin resistance in nonobese type 2 diabetic Goto Kakizaki rats is associated with a proinflammatory T lymphocyte profile.

Goto-Kakizaki (GK) rats develop a well-defined insulin resistance (IR) and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) without presenting obesity. The lymphocyte profile in nonobese diabetic conditions is not yet characterized. Therefore, GK rats were chosen to explore T lymphocyte (TL) dynamics at various stages (21, 60, and 120 days) compared to Wistar rats. GK rats exhibit progressive disruption of glucose regulation, with early glucose intolerance at 21 days and reduced insulin sensitivity at 60 days, confirming IR. Glucose transporter 1 (GLUT1) expression was consistently elevated in GK rats, suggesting heightened TL activation. T-regulatory lymphocyte markers diminished at 21 days. However, GK rats showed increased Th1 markers and reduced Gata-3 expression (crucial for Th2 cell differentiation) at 120 days. These findings underscore an early breakdown of anti-inflammatory mechanisms in GK rats, indicating a proinflammatory TL profile that may worsen chronic inflammation in T2DM.

Leukocyte metabolism in obese type 2 diabetic individuals associated with COVID-19 severity.

Recent studies show that the metabolic characteristics of different leukocytes, such as, lymphocytes, neutrophils, and macrophages, undergo changes both in the face of infection with SARS-CoV-2 and in obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM2) condition. Thus, the objective of this review is to establish a correlation between the metabolic changes caused in leukocytes in DM2 and obesity that may favor a worse prognosis during SARS-Cov-2 infection. Chronic inflammation and hyperglycemia, specific and usual characteristics of obesity and DM2, contributes for the SARS-CoV-2 replication and metabolic disturbances in different leukocytes, favoring the proinflammatory response of these cells. Thus, obesity and DM2 are important risk factors for pro-inflammatory response and metabolic dysregulation that can favor the occurrence of the cytokine storm, implicated in the severity and high mortality risk of the COVID-19 in these patients.