Effect of Achyranthes japonica Nakai extract on immunity and anti-inflammation in dogs.

Achyranthes japonica Nakai (A. japonica) is a medicinal herb found widely distributed throughout Korea. The biological activities of A. japonica are well-documented and include anti-fungal, anti-inflammatory, and immunity enhancement. The objective of the present study was to investigate the immune-related activities of A. japonica extract in dogs. The extract was acquired by ethanol extraction and purified by filtration. To examine the effect of A. japonica extract on immune cell viability, human lymphocytes, such as Jurkat T-cells and Ramos B-cells, were exposed to the extract. After treatment with the extract, the number of Ramos B-cells was increased, whereas Jurkat T-cells remained unaffected. Griess assay revealed decreased nitric oxide (NO) production in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated mouse macrophage Raw 264.7 cells after exposure to A. japonica extract. To evaluate the in-vivo effect in dogs, feed containing A. japonica extract was provided to 8 dogs for 2 months. Blood samples were collected before, during, and after consumption of the feed. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were isolated from the blood samples and the number of T-cells and B-cells were assessed using flow cytometry with anti-dog fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)-conjugated CD3 and anti-dog phycoerythrin (PE)-conjugated CD21 antibodies, respectively. We observed a significant increase in the average number of B-cells in the PBMCs during ingestion of the feed containing A. japonica. In addition, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) revealed a decrease in the levels of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), a pro-inflammatory cytokine, in 3 out of 8 dogs and increased levels of interleukin-10 (IL-10), an anti-inflammatory cytokine, in 4 out of 8 dogs. Taken together, we believe that these changes indicate that A. japonica extract is beneficial in improving the immunity of dogs by stimulating B-cells and inducing production of anti-inflammatory responses.

Achyranthes japonica Nakai (A. japonica) est une herbe médicinale retrouvée largement distribuée à travers la Corée. Les activités biologiques d'A. japonica sont bien documentées et inclus des effets antifongique, anti-inflammatoire et de stimulation de l'immunité. L'objectif de la présente étude était d'examiner les activités reliées à l'immunité d'un extrait d'A. japonica chez des chiens. L'extrait fut obtenu par extraction à l'éthanol et purification par filtration. Pour examiner l'effet de l'extrait d'A. japonica sur la viabilité de cellules immunitaires, des lymphocytes humains, tels que les cellules T Jurkat et les cellules B Ramos, furent exposés à l'extrait. Après traitement avec l'extrait, le nombre de cellules B Ramos était augmenté, alors que celui des cellules T Jurkat était inchangé. L'épreuve de Griess a révélé une diminution de production d'oxyde nitreux (NO) chez les macrophages de souris Raw 264,7 stimulés par le lipopolysaccharide (LPS) à la suite de l'exposition à l'extrait d'A. japonica. Afin d'évaluer les effets in vivo chez les chiens, de la nourriture contenant l'extrait d'A. japonica fut donnée à huit chiens pour une période de 2 mois. Des échantillons sanguins furent prélevés avant, durant et après consommation de l'aliment. Des mononucléaires du sang périphérique (PBMCs) furent isolés des échantillons sanguins et le nombre de cellules T et de cellules B fut évalué en utilisant la cytométrie de flux et des anticorps anti-CD3 de chien conjugués à l'isothiocyanate de fluorescéine (FITC) et des anticorps anti-CD21 de chien conjugués à la phycoérythrine (PE), respectivement. Nous avons observé une augmentation significative du nombre moyen de cellules B dans le PBMCs durant l'ingestion de la nourriture contenant A. japonica. De plus, une épreuve immuno-enzymatique (ELISA) a révélé une diminution des niveaux du facteur alpha nécrosant des tumeurs (TNF-α), une cytokine pro-inflammatoire, chez trois des huit chiens et des niveaux augmentés d'interleukine-10 (IL-10), une cytokine anti-inflammatoire, chez quatre des huit chiens. Pris globalement, nous croyons que ces changements indiquent qu'un extrait d'A japonica est bénéfique pour améliorer l'immunité chez les chiens en stimulant les cellules B et en induisant la production de réponses anti-inflammatoires.(Traduit par Docteur Serge Messier).

Calcium homeostasis in diabetes mellitus.

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is becoming a lifestyle-related pandemic disease. Diabetic patients frequently develop electrolyte disorders, especially diabetic ketoacidosis or nonketotic hyperglycemic hyperosmolar syndrome. Such patients show characteristic potassium, magnesium, phosphate, and calcium depletion. In this review, we discuss a homeostatic mechanism that links calcium and DM. We also provide a synthesis of the evidence in favor or against this linking mechanism by presenting recent clinical indications, mainly from veterinary research. There are consistent results supporting the use of calcium and vitamin D supplementation to reduce the risk of DM. Clinical trials support a marginal reduction in circulating lipids, and some meta-analyses support an increase in insulin sensitivity, following vitamin D supplementation. This review provides an overview of the calcium and vitamin D disturbances occurring in DM and describes the underlying mechanisms. Such elucidation will help indicate potential pathophysiology-based precautionary and therapeutic approaches and contribute to lowering the incidence of DM.

Effects of Acer okamotoanum sap on the function of polymorphonuclear neutrophilic leukocytes in vitro and in vivo.

Sap is a plant fluid that primarily consists of water and small amounts of mineral elements, sugars, hormones and other nutrients. Acer mono (A. mono) is an endemic Korean mono maple which was recently suggested to have health benefits due to its abundant calcium and magnesium ion content. In the present study, we examined the effects of sap from Acer okamotoanum (A. okamotoanum) on the phagocytic response of mouse neutrophils in vivo and rat and canine neutrophils in vitro. We tested the regulation of phagocytic activity, oxidative burst activity (OBA) and the levels of filamentous polymeric actin (F-actin) in the absence and presence of dexamethasone (DEX) in vitro and in vivo. Our results showed that DEX primarily reduced OBA in the mouse neutrophils, and that this was reversed in the presence of the sap. By contrast, the phagocytic activity of the mouse cells was not regulated by either DEX or the sap. Rat and canine polymorphonuclear neutrophilic leukocytes (PMNs) responded in vitro to the sap in a similar manner by increasing OBA. However, regulation of phagocytic activity by the sap was different between the species. In canine PMNs, phagocytic activity was enhanced by the sap at a high dose, while it did not significantly modulate this activity in rat PMNs. These findings suggest that the sap of A. okamotoanum stimulates neutrophil activity in the mouse, rat and canine by increasing OBA in vivo and in vitro, and thus may have a potential antimicrobial effect in the PMNs of patients with infections.

Effect of parenteral l-alanyl-l-glutamine administration on phagocytic responses of polymorphonuclear neutrophilic leukocytes in dogs undergoing high-dose methylprednisolone sodium succinate treatment.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether parenteral l-alanyl-l-glutamine (Ala-Gln) administration modulated phagocytic responses of polymorphonuclear neutrophilic leukocytes (PMNs) from dogs undergoing high-dose methylprednisolone sodium succinate (MPSS) treatment. ANIMALS: 15 healthy Beagles. PROCEDURES: Dogs were randomly assigned to 3 treatment groups (n = 5/group): 38-hour IV infusion of saline (0.9% NaCl) solution (control group), saline solution with 8.5% amino acids (2.3 g/kg/d), or saline solution with 8.5% amino acids (1.8 g/kg/d) and 20% l-alanyl-l-glutamine (Ala-Gln; 0.5 g/kg/d). High-dose MPSS treatment was initiated at the same time that IV infusions began, such that a total dose of 85 mg of MPSS/kg was administered through multiple IV injections over a 26-hour period. The infusions were maintained until 12 hours after the last MPSS injection. Blood samples collected before MPSS injections began and 2, 12, and 24 hours after injections ceased were used to evaluate PMN function. RESULTS: MPSS injections resulted in an increase in the total number of circulating leukocytes and increases in neutrophil and monocyte counts but did not affect lymphocyte, eosinophil, or basophil counts. Lymphocyte counts in the Ala-Gln group were higher than in the control group 12 hours after MPSS injections finished. Relative to preinfusion values, phagocytic capacity, oxidative burst activity, and filamentous actin polymerization of PMNs were suppressed in all dogs except those that received Ala-Gln. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Parenteral Ala-Gln administration in dogs resulted in an increase in PMN phagocytic responses that were suppressed by high-dose MPSS treatment.

In vitro evaluation of the effect of trans-10, cis-12 conjugated linoleic acid on phagocytosis by canine peripheral blood polymorphonuclear neutrophilic leukocytes exposed to methylprednisolone sodium succinate.

OBJECTIVE: To examine whether in vitro treatment with trans-10, cis-12 conjugated linoleic acid (t10c12-CLA) restores the phagocytic capacity and oxidative burst activity (OBA) of canine polymorphonuclear neutrophilic leukocytes (PMNs) exposed to methylprednisolone sodium succinate (MPSS). SAMPLE POPULATION: Peripheral blood PMNs obtained from 12 healthy Beagles. PROCEDURES: The experimental design involved administration of a high dose of MPSS, which is the recommended protocol for dogs with acute spinal cord injury. To evaluate PMN function, blood samples were collected from dogs before IV injections of doses of MPSS or saline (0.9% NaCl) solution (time 0) and 2, 12, and 24 hours after injections ceased. Polymorphonuclear neutrophilic leukocytes were isolated from blood samples and incubated with t10c12-CLA alone or t10c12-CLA in combination with N-acetylcysteine (an antioxidant agent). Phagocytic capacity and OBA were measured simultaneously by use of flow cytometry. RESULTS: The phagocytic capacity and OBA of PMNs were suppressed by IV injection of MPSS and restored 12 hours after injection ceased. In vitro treatment with t10c12-CLA enhanced the phagocytic capacity and OBA of PMNs, regardless of whether dogs had been treated with MPSS. Effects of t10c12-CLA on OBA were detected only when phagocytosis was stimulated by microspheres. Use of N-acetylcysteine attenuated the stimulatory effects of t10c12-CLA. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Exposure to t10c12-CLA enhanced the phagocytic capacity and OBA of canine PMNs, and this effect may have involved t10c12-CLA-induced generation of reactive oxygen species.