Multi-Omic Profiling of Macrophages Treated with Phospholipids Containing Omega-3 and Omega-6 Fatty Acids Reveals Complex Immunomodulatory Adaptations at Protein, Lipid and Metabolic Levels.

In recent years, several studies have demonstrated that polyunsaturated fatty acids have strong immunomodulatory properties, altering several functions of macrophages. In the present work, we sought to provide a multi-omic approach combining the analysis of the lipidome, the proteome, and the metabolome of RAW 264.7 macrophages supplemented with phospholipids containing omega-3 (PC 18:0/22:6; ω3-PC) or omega-6 (PC 18:0/20:4; ω6-PC) fatty acids, alone and in the presence of lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Supplementation of macrophages with ω3 and ω6 phospholipids plus LPS produced a significant reprogramming of the proteome of macrophages and amplified the immune response; it also promoted the expression of anti-inflammatory proteins (e.g., pleckstrin). Supplementation with the ω3-PC and ω6-PC induced significant changes in the lipidome, with a marked increase in lipid species linked to the inflammatory response, attributed to several pro-inflammatory signalling pathways (e.g., LPCs) but also to the pro-resolving effect of inflammation (e.g., PIs). Finally, the metabolomic analysis demonstrated that supplementation with ω3-PC and ω6-PC induced the expression of several metabolites with a pronounced inflammatory and anti-inflammatory effect (e.g., succinate). Overall, our data show that supplementation of macrophages with ω3-PC and ω6-PC effectively modulates the lipidome, proteome, and metabolome of these immune cells, affecting several metabolic pathways involved in the immune response that are triggered by inflammation.

Research on the application of sport dance in colleges and universities in the healthy development of sports / Pesquisa sobre a aplicação da dança esportiva nas universidades no desenvolvimento saudável dos esportes / Estudio sobre la aplicación de la danza deportiva en las universidades en el desarrollo saludable de los deportes

ABSTRACT Introduction: Immunity is closely related to health. When the body's immunity is strong, it is healthy. On the contrary, various diseases appear. Sports dance is an entertainment and fitness sports project that integrates sports, music, aesthetics, and dance, the body movement dance as the necessary content and two-person or collective exercises as the primary form of exercise. Studies have shown that long-term adherence to Tai Chi exercise can significantly increase the serum immunoglobulin IgA, IgG, and IgM levels. Objective: The paper explores the effect of physical dance exercise on serum immunoglobulin and T lymphocyte subsets of college students. Methods: The thesis randomly selected 16 male and female students in the first-grade physical dance optional course of public physical education as the experimental group. They performed physical dance exercises three times a week, 40 minutes each time, and the training intensity was controlled at a heart rate of 135-150 beats/min. Ten weeks; besides, 16 male and female students in the first grade were selected as the control group, and no physical dance exercise was performed; all the subjects were drawn from the elbow venous blood on an empty stomach at the same time before and after the experiment to measure serum immunoglobulin and T lymph Cell subpopulation content. Results: After ten weeks of sports dance training, the serum immunoglobulin IgG of both men and women in the experimental group increased significantly (P<0.01), and the CD4+% and CD4+/CD8+ ratio of T lymphocyte subgroups showed extremely significant and significant increases (P <0.01, P<0.05), serum IgM tended to increase, IgA, CD8+% tended to decrease, but there was no significant change. Conclusions: Long-term physical dance exercise can improve the body's immune function. Level of evidence II; Therapeutic studies - investigation of treatment results.

RESUMO Introdução: la inmunidad está estrechamente relacionado con la salud. Cuando la inmunidad del cuerpo es fuerte éste está sano. En caso contrario, aparecen diversas enfermedades. La danza deportiva é um projeto de entretenimiento y fitness que integra el deporte, la música, la estética y la danza, el movimiento corporal como contenido necesario y los ejercicios de das personas ou colectivos como forma principal de ejercicio. Los estudios han demonstraram que a adesão a largo plazo al ejercicio de Tai Chi pode aumentar também os niveles séricos de imunoglobulina IgA, IgG e IgM. Objetivo: O artigo explora o efeito do exercício físico de danza em subconjuntos de imunoglobulina sérica e linfocitos T de estudiantes universitários. Métodos: Para que a tese seja selecionada aleatoriamente, 16 ex-alunos e ex-alunos do curso optativo de danza física de primer grado de educação física pública como grupo experimental. Realizaron ejercicios de danza física tres veces por semana, 40 minutes cada vez, y la intensidad del entrenamiento se controló a una frecuencia cardíaca de 135-150 latidos/min. durante as semanas; además, se selecionar 16 alumnos y alumnas de primer grado como group de control, el que no realizó ningún ejercicio físico de danza. A todos os sujetos se les extrajo sangre venosa del codo com o estómago vacío, durante, antes e depois do experimento para medir o conteúdo da subpoblación de células T y de imunoglobulina sérica. Resultados: Después de diez semanas de entrenamiento de danza deportiva, la imunoglobulina IgG sérica de hombres y mujeres en el grupo experimental aumentó complementar (P <0,01), y la proporción CD4 +% y CD4 +/CD8 + de los subgrupos de linfocitos T mostró incrementos extremadamente provados. (P <0,01,P <0,05), la IgM sérica tendió a aumentar, la IgA, CD8 +% tendió a disminuir, mas nenhum hubo cambio projetado. Conclusiones: El ejercicio de danza física a largo plazo puede mejorar la función inmunológica del cuerpo. Nivel de evidencia II; Estudios terapéuticos: investigación de los results del tratamiento.

RESUMEN Introducción: la inmunidad está estrechamente relacionada con la salud. Cuando la inmunidad del cuerpo es fuerte éste está sano. En caso contrario, aparecen diversas enfermedades. La danza deportiva es un proyecto de entretenimiento y fitness que integra el deporte, la música, la estética y la danza, el movimiento corporal como contenido necesario y los ejercicios de dos personas o colectivos como forma principal de ejercicio. Los estudios han demostrado que la adherencia a largo plazo al ejercicio de Tai Chi puede aumentar significativamente los niveles séricos de inmunoglobulina IgA, IgG e IgM. Objetivo: El artículo explora el efecto del ejercicio físico de danza en subconjuntos de inmunoglobulina sérica y linfocitos T de estudiantes universitarios. Métodos: Para la tesis se seleccionaron aleatoriamente a 16 alumnos y alumnas del curso optativo de danza física de primer grado de educación física pública como grupo experimental. Realizaron ejercicios de danza física tres veces por semana, 40 minutos cada vez, y la intensidad del entrenamiento se controló a una frecuencia cardíaca de 135-150 latidos/min. durante diez semanas; además, se seleccionaron 16 alumnos y alumnas de primer grado como grupo de control, el que no realizó ningún ejercicio físico de danza. A todos los sujetos se les extrajo sangre venosa del codo con el estómago vacío, durante, antes y después del experimento para medir el contenido de la subpoblación de células T y de inmunoglobulina sérica. Resultados: Después de diez semanas de entrenamiento de danza deportiva, la inmunoglobulina IgG sérica de hombres y mujeres en el grupo experimental aumentó significativamente (P <0.01), y la proporción CD4 +% y CD4 + / CD8 + de los subgrupos de linfocitos T mostró incrementos extremadamente significativos. (P <0.01, P <0.05), la IgM sérica tendió a aumentar, la IgA, CD8 +% tendió a disminuir, pero no hubo cambios significativos. Conclusiones: El ejercicio de danza física a largo plazo puede mejorar la función inmunológica del cuerpo. Nivel de evidencia II; Estudios terapéuticos: investigación de los resultados del tratamiento.

The immune status, oxidative and epigenetic changes in tissues of turkeys fed diets with different ratios of arginine and lysine.

In the present experiment, it was assumed that the appropriate dietary ratio of arginine (Arg) to lysine (Lys) can improve the immune status and growth performance of turkeys. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of two inclusion rates of Arg relative to Lys in turkey diets with Lys content consistent with National Research Council (NRC) recommendations or 10% higher on the immune status of birds and indicators of protein and DNA damage due to oxidation, nitration or epigenetic changes. Another goal was to determine which dietary Arg:Lys ratio stimulates the immune response of turkeys vaccinated against Ornithobacterium rhinotracheale. The experiment was performed on 576 turkeys randomly assigned to four groups with two levels of Lys (low = NRC recommendation or high = NRC + 10%) and two levels of Arg (95% or 105% Arg relative to the content of dietary Lys). It was found that the Lys content of turkey diets should be 10% higher than that recommended by the NRC and combined with the higher Arg level (105% of Lys). Although the above Arg:Lys ratio did not improve the growth performance of birds, it stimulated their immune system and reduced protein nitration as well as protein and DNA oxidation.

Red Grape Polyphenol Oral Administration Improves Immune Response in Women Affected by Nickel-Mediated Allergic Contact Dermatitis.

BACKGROUND: Our previous findings demonstrated that in vitro supplementation of polyphenols, extracted from seeds of red grape (Nero di Troia cultivar), to peripheral lymphomonocytes from patients affected by allergic contact dermatitis (ACD) to nickel (Ni) could reduce the release of proinflammatory cytokines and nitric oxide (NO), while increasing the levels of interleukin (IL)-10, an anti-inflammatory cytokine. OBJECTIVE: To assess whether an intervention with oral administration of polyphenols leads to a reduction of peripheral biomarkers in ACD patients. METHODS: At T0, 25 patients affected by ACD to Ni were orally administered with 300 mg polyphenols prodie extracted from seeds of red grape (Nero di Troia cultivar) (NATUR-OX®) for 3 months (T1). The other 25 patients affected by ACD to Ni received placebo only for the same period of time. Serum biomarkers were analyzed at T0 and T1. In both groups, seven dropouts were recorded. RESULTS: At T1 in comparison to T0, in treated patients, values of interferon-γ, IL-4, IL-17, pentraxin 3 and NO decreased, while IL-10 levels increased when compared with T0 values. Conversely, in placebo- treated patients, no modifications of biomarkers were evaluated at T1. CONCLUSION: Present laboratory data rely on the anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-allergic properties of polyphenols.

Misinformation about spinal manipulation and boosting immunity: an analysis of Twitter activity during the COVID-19 crisis.

BACKGROUND: Social media has become an increasingly important tool in monitoring the onset and spread of infectious diseases globally as well monitoring the spread of information about those diseases. This includes the spread of misinformation, which has been documented within the context of the emerging COVID-19 crisis. Understanding the creation, spread and uptake of social media misinformation is of critical importance to public safety. In this descriptive study, we detail Twitter activity regarding spinal manipulative therapy (SMT) and claims it increases, or "boosts", immunity. Spinal manipulation is a common intervention used by many health professions, most commonly by chiropractors. There is no clinical evidence that SMT improves human immunity. METHODS: Social media searching software (Talkwalker Quick Search) was used to describe Twitter activity regarding SMT and improving or boosting immunity. Searches were performed for the 3 months and 12 months before March 31, 2020 using terms related to 1) SMT, 2) the professions that most often provide SMT and 3) immunity. From these searches, we determined the magnitude and time course of Twitter activity then coded this activity into content that promoted or refuted a SMT/immunity link. Content themes, high-influence users and user demographics were then stratified as either promoting or refuting this linkage. RESULTS: Twitter misinformation regarding a SMT/immunity link increased dramatically during the onset of the COVID crisis. Activity levels (number of tweets) and engagement scores (likes + retweets) were roughly equal between content promoting or refuting a SMT/immunity link, however, the potential reach (audience) of tweets refuting a SMT/immunity link was 3 times higher than those promoting a link. Users with the greatest influence on Twitter, as either promoters or refuters, were individuals, not institutions or organizations. The majority of tweets promoting a SMT/immunity link were generated in the USA while the majority of refuting tweets originated from Canada. CONCLUSION: Twitter activity about SMT and immunity increased during the COVID-19 crisis. Results from this work have the potential to help policy makers and others understand the impact of SMT misinformation and devise strategies to mitigate its impact.

Enhancing immunity in viral infections, with special emphasis on COVID-19: A review.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Balanced nutrition which can help in maintaining immunity is essential for prevention and management of viral infections. While data regarding nutrition in coronavirus infection (COVID-19) are not available, in this review, we aimed to evaluate evidence from previous clinical trials that studied nutrition-based interventions for viral diseases (with special emphasis on respiratory infections), and summarise our observations. METHODS: A systematic search strategy was employed using keywords to search the literature in 3 key medical databases: PubMed®, Web of Science® and SciVerse Scopus®. Studies were considered eligible if they were controlled trials in humans, measuring immunological parameters, on viral and respiratory infections. Clinical trials on vitamins, minerals, nutraceuticals and probiotics were included. RESULTS: A total of 640 records were identified initially and 22 studies were included from other sources. After excluding duplicates and articles that did not meet the inclusion criteria, 43 studies were obtained (vitamins: 13; minerals: 8; nutraceuticals: 18 and probiotics: 4). Among vitamins, A and D showed a potential benefit, especially in deficient populations. Among trace elements, selenium and zinc have also shown favourable immune-modulatory effects in viral respiratory infections. Several nutraceuticals and probiotics may also have some role in enhancing immune functions. Micronutrients may be beneficial in nutritionally depleted elderly population. CONCLUSIONS: We summaries possible benefits of some vitamins, trace elements, nutraceuticals and probiotics in viral infections. Nutrition principles based on these data could be useful in possible prevention and management of COVID-19.

Nutrient Restriction has Limited Short-Term Effects on Gut, Immunity, and Brain Development in Preterm Pigs.

BACKGROUND: Extrauterine growth restriction (EUGR) in preterm infants is associated with higher morbidity and impaired neurodevelopment. Early nutrition support may prevent EUGR in preterm infants, but it is not known if this improves organ development and brain function in the short and long term. OBJECTIVE: Using pigs as models for infants, we hypothesized that diet-induced EUGR impairs gut, immunity, and brain development in preterm neonates during the first weeks after birth. METHODS: Forty-four preterm caesarean-delivered pigs (Danish Landrace × Large White × Duroc, birth weight 975 ± 235 g, male:female ratio 23:21) from 2 sows were fed increasing volumes [32-180 mL/(kg·d)] of dilute bovine milk (EUGR group) or the same diet fortified with powdered bovine colostrum for 19 d (CONT group, 50-100% higher protein and energy intake than the EUGR group). RESULTS: The EUGR pigs showed reduced body growth (-39%, P < 0.01), lower plasma albumin, phosphate, and creatine kinase concentrations (-35 to 14%, P < 0.05), increased cortisol and free iron concentrations (+130 to 700%, P < 0.05), and reduced relative weights of the intestine, liver, and spleen (-38 to 19%, all P < 0.05). The effects of EUGR on gut structure, function, microbiota, and systemic immunity were marginal, although EUGR temporarily increased type 1 helper T cell (Th1) activity (e.g. more blood T cells and higher Th1-related cytokine concentrations on day 8) and reduced colon nutrient fermentation (lower SCFA concentration; -45%, P < 0.01). Further, EUGR pigs showed increased relative brain weights (+19%, P < 0.01), however, memory and learning, as tested in a spatial T-maze, were not affected. CONCLUSION: Most of the measured organ growth, and digestive, immune, and brain functions showed limited effects of diet-induced EUGR in preterm pigs during the first weeks after birth. Likewise, preterm infants may show remarkable physiological adaptation to deficient nutrient supply during the first weeks of life although early life malnutrition may exert negative consequences later.

Immune Response Related With Skin Thermal Pattern in Judokas: A New Application for Infrared Thermography?

Brito, CJ, Moreira, DG, Ferreira, JJ, Díaz-de-Durana, AL, Miarka, B, Bouzas Marins, JC, and Sillero-Quintana, M. Immune response related with skin thermal pattern in judokas: A new application for infrared thermography? J Strength Cond Res 34(10): 2886-2894, 2020-This study investigated the association between body skin temperature (BST) and immune response after judo training, and compared the immune responses considering 2 post-training skin thermal pattern ("spots"-SPT and "localized"-LOC). For this, we evaluated 32 (25-male) black-belt judokas from the Spanish Junior National Team (18.0 ± 3.5 years, 72.4 ± 18.4 kg, and 17.1 ± 7.5% body fat). White blood cell and BST measurements were performed at pre-training, immediately, 1, and 24-hour post-training. Body skin temperature (° C) was estimated by skin temperature from 4 regions of interest (chest, upper arm, thigh, and calf). The main results indicated that 13 judokas were classified as SPT and 19 as LOC. In comparison with LOC, SPT had a significantly lower BST post-training (SPT = 33.0 ± 0.4 vs. LOC = 33.6 ± 0.8° C; p = 0.016), lower blood concentration of leukocytes (SPT = 7.9 ± 1.9 vs. LOC = 8.9 ± 1.9 cells × 10 per mm; p ≤ 0.001), and neutrophils (SPT = 5.5 ± 1.7 vs. LOC = 6.1 ± 2.2 cells × 10 per mm; p ≤ 0.001). In conclusion, the BST and immune response after judo training seem to be not associated. However, when the skin thermal pattern is considered, the SPT skin thermal pattern presented a lower post-training BST, blood leukocytes, and neutrophils in comparison with the LOC group. These results show a possible relationship between skin thermal pattern and immune responses for the first time; however, further studies are needed to confirm the evidence presented here.

Dietary Bioactive Fatty Acids as Modulators of Immune Function: Implications on Human Health.

Diet is major modifiable risk factor for cardiovascular disease that can influence the immune status of the individual and contribute to persistent low-grade inflammation. In recent years, there has been an increased appreciation of the role of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) in improving immune function and reduction of systemic inflammation via the modulation of pattern recognition receptors (PRR) on immune cells. Extensive research on the use of bioactive lipids such as eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and their metabolites have illustrated the importance of these pro-resolving lipid mediators in modulating signaling through PRRs. While their mechanism of action, bioavailability in the blood, and their efficacy for clinical use forms an active area of research, they are found widely administered as marine animal-based supplements like fish oil and krill oil to promote health. The focus of this review will be to discuss the effect of these bioactive fatty acids and their metabolites on immune cells and the resulting inflammatory response, with a brief discussion about modern methods for their analysis using mass spectrometry-based methods.

Immune Function and Micronutrient Requirements Change over the Life Course.

As humans age, the risk and severity of infections vary in line with immune competence according to how the immune system develops, matures, and declines. Several factors influence the immune system and its competence, including nutrition. A bidirectional relationship among nutrition, infection and immunity exists: changes in one component affect the others. For example, distinct immune features present during each life stage may affect the type, prevalence, and severity of infections, while poor nutrition can compromise immune function and increase infection risk. Various micronutrients are essential for immunocompetence, particularly vitamins A, C, D, E, B2, B6, and B12, folic acid, iron, selenium, and zinc. Micronutrient deficiencies are a recognized global public health issue, and poor nutritional status predisposes to certain infections. Immune function may be improved by restoring deficient micronutrients to recommended levels, thereby increasing resistance to infection and supporting faster recovery when infected. Diet alone may be insufficient and tailored micronutrient supplementation based on specific age-related needs necessary. This review looks at immune considerations specific to each life stage, the consequent risk of infection, micronutrient requirements and deficiencies exhibited over the life course, and the available evidence regarding the effects of micronutrient supplementation on immune function and infection.

DHA and ARA addition to infant formula: Current status and future research directions.

Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and arachidonic acid (ARA) are present in breast milk and play important roles in early infant development. A supply of these fatty acids in infant formula (typically following breast milk as a model with ARA > DHA) is thought to be important since endogenous synthesis is insufficient to maintain tissue levels equivalent to breast-fed infants. Intervention studies assessing the impact of DHA- and ARA-supplemented formulas have resulted in numerous positive developmental outcomes (closer to breast-fed infants) including measures of specific cognition functions, visual acuity, and immune responses. A critical analysis of outcome assessment tools reveals the essentiality of selecting appropriate, focused techniques in order to provide accurate evaluation of DHA- and ARA-supplemented formulas. Future research directions should encompass in-depth assessment of specific cognitive outcomes, immune function, and disease incidence, as well as sources of experimental variability such as the status of fatty acid desaturase polymorphisms.

Immunity - a significant pathogenic factor as well as an integral part of the psychoneuroendocrine-immune regulations.

Immunity plays an important role in the reactivity of the organism and, in this context, is an essential factor in the pathogenesis of many diseases. Basically, there is no system or organ in the body, whose dysfunction is not related to immunity consequences. In addition, there are also multisystem diseases simultaneously involving multiple body systems. They are not always caused by weak immunity, but also often by modified immune reactions known as overshooting. The essence of all these diseases is a change in the reactivity of the organism where immunity plays an important role. The immunity as such is then part of the systems of neuroendocrine-immune regulation, which have common mediators and receptors. The establishment of psychoneuroimmunology, a relatively new discipline in neuroscience, contributed to a detailed understanding of these mechanisms between central and peripheral nervous system, the endocrine system and the immune system. This research enabled the uncovering of the nature of stress-diseases and impact of other regulatory disturbances on the function of various body organs and systems of the organism as a whole. The aim of this short review is to show complex interconnections of these relationships to better understand the human health and disease.

Oral supplementation with liposomal glutathione elevates body stores of glutathione and markers of immune function.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Glutathione (GSH) is the most abundant endogenous antioxidant and a critical regulator of oxidative stress. Maintenance of optimal tissues for GSH levels may be an important strategy for the prevention of oxidative stress-related diseases. We investigated if oral administration of liposomal GSH is effective at enhancing GSH levels in vivo. SUBJECTS/METHODS: A 1-month pilot clinical study of oral liposomal GSH administration at two doses (500 and 1000 mg of GSH per day) was conducted in healthy adults. GSH levels in whole blood, erythrocytes, plasma and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were assessed in 12 subjects at the baseline and after 1, 2 and 4 weeks of GSH administration. RESULTS: GSH levels were elevated after 1 week with maximum increases of 40% in whole blood, 25% in erythrocytes, 28% in plasma and 100% in PBMCs occurring after 2 weeks (P<0.05). GSH increases were accompanied by reductions in oxidative stress biomarkers, including decreases of 35% in plasma 8-isoprostane and 20% in oxidized:reduced GSH ratios (P<0.05). Enhancements in immune function markers were observed with liposomal GSH administration including Natural killer (NK) cell cytotoxicity, which was elevated by up to 400% by 2 weeks (P<0.05), and lymphocyte proliferation, which was elevated by up to 60% after 2 weeks (P<0.05). Overall, there were no differences observed between dose groups, but statistical power was limited due to the small sample size in this study. CONCLUSIONS: Collectively, these preliminary findings support the effectiveness of daily liposomal GSH administration at elevating stores of GSH and impacting the immune function and levels of oxidative stress.

[Changes and the impact on immune function of opioid-dependent subjects by Jitai tabelets during the withdrawal stage].

Objective: To detect the changes in the immune function of opioid-dependent subjects during the withdrawal stage through the administration of Jitai tablet. Methods: Subjects were treated as Jitai tablet alone, Jitai tablet plus buprenorphine and placebo, in a randomized,double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Before and after the 14(th) day of withdrawal, levels of immunoglobulin (IgM, IgA, IgG), T cell subsets (CD(3)(+), CD(4)(+), CD(8)(+), CD(4)(+)/CD(8)(+)) and cytokines (IL-2, IFN-γ, IL-4, IFN-γ/IL-4) were detected. Results: Compared with healthy people, immunity function before withdrawal among the opioid abusers showed higher levels of IgM, IL-2, IFN-γ, IL-4 and lower level of CD(3)(+)T, as (1.67±0.87) g/L, (14.44±13.50)%, (20.23±15.10)%, (1.97±1.59)%, (47.01±13.62)%, respectively, with difference statistically significant (P<0.05). There was no big difference of other immunity indicators between the two groups (P>0.05). At the 14(th) day of withdrawal in placebo group, levels of IL-4 returned to normal while IFN-γ/IL-4 ratio increased by 3.43 times (P<0.05). Levels of IgA, IgG, CD(4)(+) and CD(4)(+)/CD(8)(+) ratio fluctuated within normal range. There were no significant changes in other immunity indicators (P>0.05). Compared with placebo group, fluctuation of IgG and IgM decreased in Jitai group during withdrawal period, together with a normal level of IgM at the 14(th) day. Level of IL-4 abnormally rose up by 0.54 times in Jitai tablet plus buprenorphine group, while IFN-γ/IL-4 ratio been switched back at the 14(th) day of withdrawal. Other immune indicators were not affected by medical interventions. Conclusion: We noticed that certain impairment of the immune function might be restored by Jitai tablet during the withdrawal period.

Effect of the addition of ß-mannanase on the performance, metabolizable energy, amino acid digestibility coefficients, and immune functions of broilers fed different nutritional levels.

Three experiments were conducted to evaluate the effect of ß-mannanase BM: supplementation on the performance, metabolizable energy, amino acid digestibility, and immune function of broilers. A total of 1,600 broilers were randomly distributed in a 4 × 2 factorial arrangement (4 nutritional levels × 0 or 500 g/ton BM), with 10 replicates and 20 broilers per pen. The same design was used in the energy and digestibility experiments with 8 and 6 replicates, respectively, and 6 broilers per pen. The nutritional levels : NL : were formulated to meet the nutritional requirements of broilers : NL1 : ; reductions of 100 kcal metabolizable energy : NL2 : ; 3% of the total amino acids (NL3); and 100 kcal metabolizable energy and 3% total amino acids (NL4) from NL1. The serum immunoglobulin (Ig) concentration was determined in two broilers per pen, and these broilers were slaughtered to determine the relative weight of spleen, thymus, and bursa of Fabricius. Throughout the experiment, the lower nutritional levels reduced (P < 0.05) body weight gain : BWG : and increased (P < 0.05) feed conversion : FCR : for the NL4 treatment. The BM increased (P < 0.05) the BWG values and improved (P < 0.05) the FCR of the broilers. The apparent metabolizable energy corrected for nitrogen balance (AMEn) values were reduced (P < 0.05) for NL2 and NL3. The BM increased (P < 0.05) the AMEn values and reduced (P < 0.05) the excreted nitrogen. NL3 and NL4 reduced (P < 0.05) the true ileal digestibility coefficients (TIDc) of the amino acids cystine and glycine, and BM increased (P < 0.05) the TIDc for all amino acids. The addition of BM reduced (P < 0.05) the relative weights of the spleen and bursa. NL2 increased (P < 0.05) the Ig values, whereas BM reduced (P < 0.05) the serum IgA, IgG, and IgM values of the broilers. This study indicates that using suboptimal nutrient levels leads to losses in production parameters, whereas BM-supplemented diets were effective in improving performance, energy values, and TIDc levels of amino acids and immune response of broilers.

Depression, immune function, and early adrenarche in children.

Despite consistent findings of an association between depression and immunity in adult and adolescent populations, little is known about the nature of this relationship at earlier ages. Studies of children have yielded mixed results, suggesting methodological confounds and/or the presence of significant moderating factors. Timing of adrenarche, the first phase of puberty that occurs during late childhood, is a plausible moderator of the depression-immunity relationship in late childhood due to its associations with both the immune system and psychological wellbeing. We hypothesized that: (1) a depression-immunity association exists in children, (2) this association is moderated by adrenarcheal timing, and, (3) this association is also moderated by gender. Data were drawn from a nested study of 103 participants (62 females, Mage=9.5, age range: 8.67-10.21 years) participating in a population based cohort study of the transition from childhood to adolescence (across puberty). Participants in this nested study completed the Children's Depression Inventory 2 (CDI-2) and provided morning saliva samples to measure immune markers (i.e., C-reactive protein, CRP; and secretory immunoglobulin A, SIgA). Using hierarchical regression, inflammation measured by CRP was positively associated with the negative mood/physical symptoms (NM/PS) subscale (ß=0.23, t=2.33, p=0.022) of the CDI-2. A significant interaction effect of SIgA x adrenarcheal timing was found for NM/PS (ß=-0.39, t=-2.19, p=0.031) and Interpersonal Problems (ß=-0.47, t=-2.71, p=0.008). SIgA and NM/PS were positively associated for relatively late developers. SIgA and Interpersonal Problems were positively associated for late developers, and negatively associated for early developers. We suggest that both sets of findings might be partially explained by the immunosuppressive effect of the hormonal changes associated with earlier adrenarche, namely testosterone. These results also suggest that adrenarcheal timing has an effect on the association between depression and immunity, and is therefore an important measure in research with younger populations. Future research should utilize longitudinal designs to demonstrate direction of influence of variables, and use a broader range of pro- and anti-inflammatory markers.

The Impaired Function of Macrophages Induced by Strenuous Exercise Could Not Be Ameliorated by BCAA Supplementation.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of strenuous exercise on the functions of peritoneal macrophages in rats and to test the hypothesis that branched-chain amino acid (BCAA) supplementation will be beneficial to the macrophages of rats from strenuous exercise. Forty male Wistar rats were randomly divided into five groups: (C) Control, E) Exercise, (E1) Exercise with one week to recover, (ES) Exercise + Supplementation and (ES1) Exercise + Supplementation with 1 week to recover. All rats except those of the sedentary control were subjected to four weeks of strenuous exercise. Blood hemoglobin, serum testosterone and BCAA levels were tested. Peritoneal macrophages functions were also determined at the same time. The data showed that hemoglobin, testosterone, BCAA levels, and body weight in group E decreased significantly as compared with that of group C. Meanwhile, phagocytosis capacity (decreased by 17.07%, p = 0.031), reactive oxygen species (ROS) production (decreased by 26%, p = 0.003) and MHC II mRNA (decreased by 22%, p = 0.041) of macrophages decreased in the strenuous exercise group as compared with group C. However, the chemotaxis of macrophages did not change significantly. In addition, BCAA supplementation could slightly increase the serum BCAA levels of rats from strenuous exercise (increased by 6.70%, p > 0.05). Moreover, the body weight, the blood hemoglobin, the serum testosterone and the function of peritoneal macrophages in group ES did not change significantly as compared with group E. These results suggest that long-term intensive exercise impairs the function of macrophages, which is essential for microbicidal capability. This may represent a novel mechanism of immunosuppression induced by strenuous exercise. Moreover, the impaired function of macrophage induced by strenuous exercise could not be ameliorated by BCAA supplementation in the dosing and timing used for this study.

Influence of fish oil supplementation and strength training on some functional aspects of immune cells in healthy elderly women.

Immune function changes with ageing and is influenced by physical activity (strength training, ST) and diet (fish oil, FO). The present study investigated the effect of FO and ST on the immune system of elderly women. Forty-five women (64 (sd 1.4) years) were assigned to ST for 90 d (ST; n 15), ST plus 2 g/d FO for 90 d (ST90; n 15) or 2 g/d FO for 60 d followed by ST plus FO for 90 d (ST150; n 15). Training was performed three times per week, for 12 weeks. A number of innate (zymosan phagocytosis, lysosomal volume, superoxide anion, peroxide of hydrogen) and adaptive (cluster of differentiation 4 (CD4), CD8, TNF-α, interferon-γ (IFN-γ), IL-2, IL-6 and IL-10 produced by lymphocytes) immune parameters were assessed before supplementation (base), before (pre-) and after (post-) training. ST induced no immune changes. FO supplementation caused increased phagocytosis (48 %), lysosomal volume (100 %) and the production of superoxide anion (32 %) and H2O2(70 %) in the ST90. Additional FO supplementation (ST150) caused no additive influence on the immune system, as ST150 and ST90 did not differ, but caused greater changes when compared to the ST (P< 0·05). FO increased CD4+ and CD8+ lymphocytes in the ST150, which remained unchanged when training was introduced. The combination of ST and FO reduced TNF-α in the ST150 from base to post-test. FO supplementation (ST150, base-pre) when combined with exercise (ST150, pre-post) increased IFN-γ, IL-2, IL-6 and IL-10 production. The immune parameters improved in response to FO supplementation; however, ST alone did not enhance the immune system.

Cerebellar fastigial nuclear glutamatergic neurons regulate immune function via hypothalamic and sympathetic pathways.

We previously have shown that cerebellar fastigial nucleus (FN) modulates immune function, but pathways or mechanisms underlying this immunomodulation require clarification. Herein, an anterograde and retrograde tracing of nerve tracts between the cerebellar FN and hypothalamus/thalamus was performed in rats. After demonstrating a direct cerebellar FN-hypothalamic/thalamic glutamatergic projection, 6-diazo-5-oxo-L-norleucine (DON), an inhibitor of glutaminase that catalyzes glutamate synthesis, was injected bilaterally in the cerebellar FN and simultaneously, D,L-threo-ß-hydroxyaspartic acid (THA), an inhibitor of glutamate transporters on cell membrane, was bilaterally injected in the lateral hypothalamic area (LHA) or the ventrolateral (VL) thalamic nucleus. DON treatment in the FN alone decreased number of glutamatergic neurons that projected axons to the LHA and also diminished glutamate content in both the hypothalamus and the thalamus. These effects of DON were reduced by combined treatment with THA in the LHA or in the VL. Importantly, DON treatment in the FN alone attenuated percentage and cytotoxicity of natural killer (NK) cells and also lowered percentage and cytokine production of T lymphocytes. These DON-caused immune effects were reduced or abolished by combined treatment with THA in the LHA, but not in the VL. Simultaneously, DON treatment elevated level of norepinephrine (NE) in the spleen and mesenteric lymphoid nodes, and THA treatment in the LHA, rather than in the VL, antagonized the DON-caused NE elevation. These findings suggest that glutamatergic neurons in the cerebellar FN regulate innate and adaptive immune functions and the immunomodulation is conveyed by FN-hypothalamic glutamatergic projections and sympathetic nerves that innervate lymphoid tissues.

Parasites suppress immune-enhancing effect of methionine in nestling great tits.

After birth, an organism needs to invest both in somatic growth and in the development of efficient immune functions to counter the effects of pathogens, and hence an investment trade-off is predicted. To explore this trade-off, we simultaneously exposed nestling great tits (Parus major) to a common ectoparasite, while stimulating immune function. Using a 2 × 2 experimental design, we first infested half of the nests with hen fleas (Ceratophyllus gallinae) on day 3 post-hatch and later, on day 9-13 post-hatch, and then supplemented half of the nestlings within each nest with an immuno-enhancing amino acid (methionine). We then assessed the non-specific immune response by measuring both the inflammatory response to a lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and assessing the levels of acute phase proteins (APP). In parasite-infested nestlings, methionine had a negative effect on body mass close to fledging. Methionine had an immune-enhancing effect in the absence of ectoparasites only. The inflammatory response to LPS was significantly lower in nestlings infested with fleas and was also lower in nestlings supplemented with methionine. These patterns of immune responses suggest an immunosuppressive effect of ectoparasites that could neutralise the immune-enhancing effect of methionine. Our study thus suggests that the trade-off between investment in life history traits and immune function is only partly dependent on available resources, but shows that parasites may influence this trade-off in a more complex way, by also inhibiting important physiological functions.