Green tea polyphenol extract in vivo attenuates inflammatory features of neutrophils from obese rats.

PURPOSE: Our study aimed to evaluate whether obesity induced by cafeteria diet changes the neutrophil effector/inflammatory function and whether treatment with green tea extract (GT) can improve neutrophil function. METHODS: Male Wistar rats were treated with GT by gavage (12 weeks/5 days/week; 500 mg/kg of body weight), and obesity was induced by cafeteria diet (8 weeks). Neutrophils were obtained from the peritoneal cavity (injection of oyster glycogen). The following analyses were performed: phagocytic capacity, chemotaxis, myeloperoxidase activity (MPO), hypochlorous acid (HOCl), superoxide anion (O 2 (·-) ), hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), IL-1ß, IL-6 and TNFα, mRNA levels of inflammatory genes, calcium mobilisation, activities of antioxidant enzymes, hexokinase and G6PDH. RESULTS: Neutrophils from obese rats showed a significant decrease in migration capacity, H2O2 and HOCl production, MPO activity and O 2 (·-) production. Phagocytosis and CD11b mRNA levels were increased, while inflammatory cytokines release remained unmodified. mRNA levels of TLR4 and IκK were enhanced. Treatment of obese rats with GT increased neutrophil migration, MPO activity, H2O2, HOCl and O 2 (·-) production, whereas TNF-α and IL-6 were decreased (versus obese). Similar reductions in TLR4, IκK and CD11b mRNA were observed. Catalase and hexokinase were increased by obesity, while SOD and G6PDH were decreased. Treatment with GT reduced catalase and increased the GSH/GSSG ratio. CONCLUSION: In response to a cafeteria diet, we found a decreased chemotaxis, H2O2 release, MPO activity and HOCl production. We also showed a significant immunomodulatory effect of GT on the obese condition recovering some of these factors such H2O2 and HOCl production, also reducing the levels of inflammatory cytokines.

Green tea catechins alone or in combination alter functional parameters of human neutrophils via suppressing the activation of TLR-4/NFκB p65 signal pathway.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the potential of a mixture containing the four main catechins found in green tea, as well it separately, as modulators of the functional parameters of human neutrophils. The cells were obtained from peripheral blood of healthy individuals isolated and cultured with a mix: 30 µM of EGCG, 3 µM of EGC, 2 µM of ECG and 1.4 µM of EC, as well as each one alone. We evaluated the cytotoxicity of catechins, production of several reactive oxygen species (ROS), antioxidant enzymes (SOD, CAT, GPx and GR), Nrf2, TLR4/IKK/NFκB, CD11b mRNA levels, intracellular calcium release, chemotactic and phagocytic capacity, myeloperoxidase (MPO), and G6PDH activities, hypochlorous acid (HOCl) and pro-inflammatory cytokines release, protein levels of TLR4, p38 MAPK, iNOS and p-65 NFκB. The actions of the catechins were evidenced by the reduction in inflammatory parameters, including the suppression of TLR4, NFκB and iNOS protein expression, decreased release of TNF-α, IL-1ß and IL-6, migration capacity, MPO activity and HOCl production and the suppression of ROS, nitric oxide and peroxynitrite production, while inducing antioxidant enzyme activities and Nrf2 mRNA levels, phagocytic capacity and calcium release. Our results demonstrate that catechins present marked immunomodulatory actions, either alone or in combination.

Fucoxanthin in association with vitamin C acts as modulators of human neutrophil function.

INTRODUCTION: Neutrophils provide the first line of defense of the innate immune system by phagocytosing, killing and digesting bacteria and fungi. During this process, neutrophils produce reactive oxygen species (ROS), which in excess, can damage the cells themselves and surrounding tissues. The carotenoid fucoxanthin (Fc) has been studied concerning its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory actions. Vitamin c (Vc) also demonstrates potent antioxidant action. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of Fc (2 µM) in association with Vc (100 µM) on functional parameters of human neutrophils in vitro. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We evaluated the migration and phagocytic capacity, intracellular calcium mobilization, ROS production (O2(·)⁻, H2O2, HOCl), myeloperoxidase activity, profile of antioxidant enzymes, phosphorylation of p38 MAPK and p65 NFκB subunit, GSH/GSSG ratio and release of pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α and IL-6) in neutrophils under different stimuli. RESULTS: We verified an increase in phagocytic capacity for all treatments, together with an increase in intracellular calcium only in cells treated with Fc and Fc + Vc. ROS production was reduced by all treatments, although Vc was a better antioxidant than Fc. Phosphorylation of the p-65 subunit of NFκB was reduced in cells treated with Fc + Vc and release of TNF-α and IL-6 was reduced by all treatments. These findings indicate that the regulation of inflammatory cytokines by neutrophils is not exclusively under the control of the NFκB pathway. Fc reduced the activity of some antioxidant enzymes, whereas Vc increased GR activity and the GSH/GSSG ratio. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, the results presented in this study clearly show an immunomodulatory effect of the carotenoid fc alone or in combination with Vc on the function of human neutrophils.

Syphilitic meningitis in HIV-patients with meningeal syndrome: report of two cases and review.

Few patients with symptomatic neurosyphilis present with signs and symptoms of acute meningitis. Here we report two cases of syphilitic meningitis diagnosed in HIV patients with meningeal syndrome. The first case, a 30-year-old black bisexual male, had concurrent meningeal and ocular syphilis with persistent unusually low CSF glucose levels. He responded well to 21 days of intravenous penicillin therapy. The second case was a 55-year-old female with epilepsy, depression, behavioral disorder and confusion. The diagnosis of HIV infection was made after onset of the syphilitic meningitis. She was treated with 21 days i.v. penicillin with improvement in her clinical condition. The clinical aspects of combined neurosyphilis and HIV infection, plus special features of diagnosis and treatment are discussed.