The effect of L-theanine supplementation on the immune system of athletes exposed to strenuous physical exercise.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to analyze the response of selected components of the immune system in rowers to maximal physical exercise, and to verify if this response could be modulated by supplementation with L-theanine. METHOD: The double-blind study included 20 members of the Polish Rowing Team. The subjects were randomly assigned to the supplemented group (n = 10), receiving 150 mg of L-theanine extract for 6 weeks, or to the placebo group (n = 10). The participants performed a 2000-m test on a rowing ergometer at the beginning (1st examination) and at the end of the supplementation period (2nd examination). Blood samples were obtained from the antecubital vein before each exercise test, 1 min after completing the test, and after a 24-h recovery. Subpopulations of T regulatory lymphocytes (Tregs) (CD4+/CD25+/CD127-), cytotoxic lymphocytes (CTLs) (CD8+/TCRαß+), natural killer (NK) cells (CD3-/CD16+/CD56+) and TCRδγ-positive (Tδγ) cells were determined by means of flow cytometry. The levels of interleukin 2 (IL-2), interleukin 4 (IL-4), interleukin 10 (IL-10), interferon gamma (INF-ɤ) and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) were determined with commercially available diagnostic kits. RESULTS: Supplementation with L-theanine contributed to a significant post-exercise decrease in IL-10 concentration, which was reflected by higher values of IL-2 to IL-10 and IFN-γ to IL-10 ratios. Moreover, a significant post-recovery decrease in CTL count, Treg to NK and Treg to CTL ratios was observed in the supplemented group. CONCLUSION: Despite the decrease in the number of some cytotoxic cells (CTLs) and an increase in the proportion of Tregs to CTLs, supplementation with LTE seems to exert a beneficial effect on a disrupted Th1/Th2 balance in elite athletes, as shown by the decrease in IL-10 concentration.

Autologous cord blood transfusion in preterm infants - could its humoral effect be the kez to control prematurity-related complications? A preliminary study.

Umbilical cord blood (UCB), rich in stem/progenitor cells, is partially eliminated from the bloodstream during childbirth because the cord is immediately clamped. We hypothesize that transfusion of autologous UCB to premature infants after delivery could serve as an adjuvant modality for preventing the development of prematurity-related complications. We randomly enrolled 20 preterm infants born before 32 weeks of gestational age (GA), all of whom developed anemia, necessitating transfusion of red blood cells (RBCs). Two groups, matched for GA, were selected: (1) infants (n = 5) who underwent UCB transfusion once within 5 days of birth (mean ± standard deviation, 3.2 ± 1.9 days) and (2) infants (n = 15) from whom UCB was not collected (e.g., lack of consent). The latter served as controls and received allogeneic RBC transfusions (7.8 ± 3.9 days after birth). Selected prematurity-related complications were monitored. Two weeks after UCB/RBC transfusion, peripheral blood samples were collected, and the concentrations of 41 selected growth factors and their receptors were analyzed using a multiplex protein array. UCB transfusions were found to be both feasible and tolerable. Intraventricular haemorrhage was diagnosed in two of five (40%) UCB recipients, but was found in thirteen of fifteen RBC recipients (86.7%). Twenty-two plasma proteins (e.g., insulin-like growth factors, stem cell factor, epidermal growth factors) were found with significantly different concentrations in UCB recipients compared to controls. Results demonstrate safety and feasibility of UCB transfusion in a small group of very premature neonates and should be interpreted as preliminary speculation. Transfusion of UCB could induce a specific humoral effects, and this could serve as an adjuvant modality for prevention of prematurity complications.

An optimization of isolation of early hematopoietic cells from heparinized cadaveric organ donors.

Heparinized cadaveric organ donors are a potential source of hematopoietic cells for transplantation purposes. The aim of this study was to optimize the harvest of early hematopoietic cells from cadaver donors. Accordingly, we noticed that bone marrow cells harvested from cadaver donors should be resuspended in RPMI or Iscove's medium supplemented with heparin or ACD. Bags with harvested marrow should contain 20% atmosphere air during short-term storage/transportation. Finally, we noticed that BMMNC survive short-term storage better if the collected marrow is not depleted of erythrocytes.