Spirulina platensis and biosynthesized selenium nanoparticles improve performance, antioxidant status, humoral immunity and dietary and ileal microbial populations of heat-stressed broilers.

This study was conducted to assess the impact of dietary incorporation of Spirulina platensis and selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs) individually or in combinations on growth performance, antioxidant status, humoral immune response, and microbial populations in diet and ileum of heat-stressed broilers. Ross-308 one-day chicks (n = 450) were fed one of 9 experimental diets with five replicate cages in 2 phases for 35 d. The experimental diets were a control basal diet without supplementation or with 0.1 mg SeNPs, 0.2 mg SeNPs, 5 g Spirulina, 10 g Spirulina, 0.1 mg SeNPs + 5 g Spirulina, 0.1 mg SeNPs + 10 g Spirulina, 0.2 mg SeNPs + 5 g Spirulina and 0.2 mg SeNPs + 10 g Spirulina per kg diet. Dietary supplementation with Spirulina and SeNPs significantly (P < 0.05) increased body weight gain and European production efficiency factor. Serum GPx and SOD were significantly (P < 0.05) increased with dietary Spirulina and SeNPs supplementation, while, TBARS was decreased (P < 0.05). Circulating immunoglobulin IgM, IgA and IgG were increased in treated birds compared to the control ones, while the antibody titers to IBD, AIV, and NDV were not significantly altered. The results showed that SeNPs and Spirulina exhibited dose-dependent antimicrobial activities against ileal counts of total bacterial, total molds and yeast, coliform, E. coli, Salmonella spp. and Enterococcus spp. However, ileal populations of Lactic acid bacteria were increased with dietary Spirulina and SeNPs in a dose-dependent manner. The microbial load in broilers' diets was reduced by dietary incorporation of S. platensis and SeNPs. These results indicate that Spirulina and SeNPs can be potentially used as growth promoters and antioxidant, immunostimulant, and antimicrobial agents in heat-stressed broilers.

Changing patterns of multiple sclerosis in Korea: Toward a more baseline MRI lesions and intrathecal humoral immune responses.

BACKGROUND: The environmental risks of multiple sclerosis (MS), including adolescent obesity and vitamin D deficiency, are increasing in Korea. We aimed to determine whether the patterns and/or severity of MS in Korea can change according to the year of birth or disease onset. METHODS: Two hundred and sixty-six patients with adult-onset MS, including 164 with an available baseline magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), were retrospectively included from 17 nationwide referral hospitals in Korea. The demographics, MRI T2 lesion burden at disease onset, cerebrospinal fluid markers, and prognosis were assessed. RESULTS: The birth year, time from disease onset to first MRI, and female sex were associated with a higher number of baseline MRI T2 lesions. The birth year was also associated with the presence of oligoclonal band in the cerebrospinal fluid and high immunoglobin G index. An increased female/male ratio was observed among those with a more recent year of birth and/or disease onset. CONCLUSIONS: In Korea, the disease pattern of adult-onset MS may be changing toward a more baseline T2 MRI lesions, intrathecal humoral immune responses, and also higher female ratio.

Serine protease inhibitors rich Coccinia grandis (L.) Voigt leaf extract induces protective immune responses in murine visceral leishmaniasis.

Leishmaniasis is a parasite-mediated tropical disease affecting millions of individuals worldwide. The available antileishmanial chemotherapeutic modalities exhibit adverse toxicity, exorbitant price and advent of drug-resistant parasites. Hence, plant-derived products are an alternative preference for the emergence of novel and effective antileishmanial agents that rejuvenate the host immunity with limited toxicity. The present work is complementary to our previous report that revealed the in vitro antileishmanial and immunomodulatory activity of Coccinia grandis (L.) Voigt leaf extract (Cg-Ex) rich in serine protease inhibitors. Thus, preliminary objectives of the study were to elucidate the leishmanicidal activity and host effector mechanism in Leishmania donovani infected BALB/c mice treated with Cg-Ex. Oral administration of Cg-Ex significantly reduced the spleen and liver parasite burden at dose-dependently. The parasite elimination was associated with generation of ROS and NO that are interrelated with up-regulation of disease-suppressing Th1 cytokines and down-regulation of disease-promoting Th2 cytokines at both protein and mRNA level. Moreover, Cg-Ex augmented the delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) response and serum IgG2a level which are correlated with the diminution of parasite burden with no hepatic and renal toxicity. Additionally, histological analysis of spleen depicted the improvement of structural disorganization of white and red pulp after Cg-Ex treatment. Therefore, our intriguing findings have presented the first indication of in vivo antileishmanial efficacy through activation of pro-inflammatory immune responses of the host by a natural plant leaf extract (Cg-Ex) containing serine protease inhibitors which could have a role as a potential immunomodulator against visceral leishmaniasis.

Intranasal vaccination with ebola virus GP amino acids 258-601 protects mice against lethal challenge.

Ebola virus (EBOV) disease (EVD) leads to lethal hemorrhagic fever with a case fatality rate as high as 90%, thus posing a serious global public health concern. However, while several vaccines based on the EBOV glycoprotein have been confirmed to be effective in animal experiments, no licensed vaccines or effective treatments have been approved since the first outbreak was reported in 1976. In this study, we prepared the extracellular domain of the EBOV GP protein (designated as N20) by prokaryotic expression and purification via chromatography. Using CTA1-DD (designated as H45) as a mucosal adjuvant, we evaluated the immunogenicity of N20 by intranasal administration and the associated protective efficacy against mouse-adapted EBOV challenge in mice. We found that intranasal vaccination with H45-adjuvanted N20 could stimulate humoral immunity, as supported by GP-specific IgG titers; Th1 cellular immunity, based on IgG subclasses and IFN-γ/IL-4 secreting cells; and mucosal immunity, based on the presence of anti-EBOV IgA in vaginal lavages. We also confirmed that the vaccine could completely protect mice against a lethal mouse-adapted EBOV (MA-EBOV) challenge with few side effects (based on weight loss). In comparison, mice that received N20 or H45 alone succumbed to lethal MA-EBOV challenge. Therefore, mucosal vaccination with H45-adjuvanted N20 represents a potential vaccine candidate for the prevention of EBOV in an effective, safe, and convenient manner.

Personalized vaccinology: A review.

At the current time, the field of vaccinology remains empirical in many respects. Vaccine development, vaccine immunogenicity, and vaccine efficacy have, for the most part, historically been driven by an empiric "isolate-inactivate-inject" paradigm. In turn, a population-level public health paradigm of "the same dose for everyone for every disease" model has been the normative thinking in regard to prevention of vaccine-preventable infectious diseases. In addition, up until recently, no vaccines had been designed specifically to overcome the immunosenescence of aging, consistent with a post-WWII mentality of developing vaccines and vaccine programs for children. It is now recognized that the current lack of knowledge concerning how immune responses to vaccines are generated is a critical barrier to understanding poor vaccine responses in the elderly and in immunoimmaturity, discovery of new correlates of vaccine immunogenicity (vaccine response biomarkers), and a directed approach to new vaccine development. The new fields of vaccinomics and adversomics provide models that permit global profiling of the innate, humoral, and cellular immune responses integrated at a systems biology level. This has advanced the science beyond that of reductionist scientific approaches by revealing novel interactions between and within the immune system and other biological systems (beyond transcriptional level), which are critical to developing "downstream" adaptive humoral and cellular responses to infectious pathogens and vaccines. Others have applied systems level approaches to the study of antibody responses (a.k.a. "systems serology"), [1] high-dimensional cell subset immunophenotyping through CyTOF, [2,3] and vaccine induced metabolic changes [4]. In turn, this knowledge is being utilized to better understand the following: identifying who is at risk for which infections; the level of risk that exists regarding poor immunogenicity and/or serious adverse events; and the type or dose of vaccine needed to fully protect an individual. In toto, such approaches allow for a personalized approach to the practice of vaccinology, analogous to the substantial inroads that individualized medicine is playing in other fields of human health and medicine. Herein we briefly review the field of vaccinomics, adversomics, and personalized vaccinology.

Effect of supplementing broiler chicken diets with green tea extract on the growth performance, lipid profile, antioxidant status and immune response.

A trial was conducted to explore the effect of feeding graded concentrations of green tea extract (GTE; 125, 250, 500, 1000 and 2000 mg/kg) on the growth performance, serum lipid profile, liver glutathione-reduced, thigh muscle malondialdehyde and humoral immune response against Newcastle disease virus vaccines of broiler chickens from hatching to 42 d of age. The results of broilers fed on GTE were contrasted to those fed on butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT; 125 mg/kg) or unsupplemented controls. The obtained results revealed no significant difference among treatments in the measured growth performance parameters (body weight, average daily gain, average daily feed intake and feed conversion ratio), per cent liveability and serum lipid profile (total lipid, total cholesterol, high-density, low-density and very low-density lipoprotein cholesterols). Dietary intake of GTE resulted in a significant increase in the liver glutathione-reduced level compared to the control. The glutathione-reduced level of broilers fed on the BHT diet was not significantly different from that of broilers fed on GTE or control diets. Feeding GTE or BHT resulted in a significant decrease in the malondialdehyde level of meat tissue. The specific antibody titre against Newcastle disease virus vaccines was significantly increased at 28 and 35 d of age in broilers fed on diets supplemented with GTE but not with BHT. In conclusion, GTE was found to possess antioxidant and immunostimulant characteristics for broilers when supplemented to their diets, and its optimum inclusion level ranged from 125 to 500 mg/kg.

Effects of medium-chain fatty acids on performance, carcass characteristics, blood biochemical parameters and immune response in Japanese quail.

This study had the aim of evaluating the effects of medium-chain fatty acids (MCFA) on performance, carcass characteristics, some blood parameters and antibody titre against sheep red blood cells (SRBC) in quail. A total of 240 quail chicks were allotted to 4 treatments consisting of respectively 0, 1, 2 and 4 g/kg dietary MCFA. There were no significant differences in body weight, feed intake and feed conversion ratio among treatments at different stages of the experiment. MCFAs had no significant effect on breast, thigh, liver, spleen and bursa of Fabricius weight ratios. However, the relative weight of abdominal fat significantly decreased in quail receiving 0.2 and 0.4 MCFA as compared to other treatments. Concentrations of low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL), triglycerides and total cholesterol were decreased and high-density lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol was increased in quail chicks receiving MCFA compared with control quail chicks. The concentrations of SRBC antibody were not statistically different among treatments. It is concluded that MCFA significantly decreased LDL, triglycerides, cholesterol and abdominal fat and increased HDL in quail chicks.

Effect of various fiber types and choice feeding of fiber on performance, gut development, humoral immunity, and fiber preference in broiler chicks.

Two experiments were conducted to investigate the effect of fibrous materials with one single diet or by choice feeding on performance, intestinal morphology, immunity, and fiber preference in broiler chicks. In experiment 1, 240-day-old chicks (Ross 308) were assigned to one of 4 treatments, comprising 5 replicates per treatment in a completely randomized design. Dietary treatments included: a basal diet (control) or 30 g/kg sugar beet pulp (SBP), 30 g/kg rice hull (RH), or 30 g/kg equal combination of them (SBP/RH) added to the basal diet. Results showed SBP and SBP/RH impaired daily weight gain (DWG) in the growing period compared with control (P < 0.05). Additionally, chickens that received SBP had deteriorated FCR across the entire rearing period (P < 0.05). In comparison to control and SBP, supplementing SBP/RH significantly increased antibody titer against Newcastle disease virus (NDV; P < 0.05) at 23 d of age. Furthermore, SBP reduced duodenal and ileal villus height compared with control at 21 d of age. In experiment 2, a total of 240 chicks were allotted to 4 experimental treatments of feeding: 1) control; or choice feeding between 2) control and SBP (C-SBP); 3) control and RH (C-RH); 4) control and SBP/RH (C- SBP/RH). Results indicated that chicks had a tendency to use separate sources of fiber. RH was consumed lower than C-SBP/RH and C-SBP in starter and growing periods, respectively (P < 0.05). Chickens choice fed RH and SBP/RH had greater daily feed intake than control across 14 to 28 d of age (P < 0.05). However, DWG reduced in all fiber fed birds (P < 0.05) and resulted in impaired FCR in broilers of the C-SBP group (P < 0.05). In addition, choice feeding of SBP/RH increased antibody titer against NDV as compared with control and SBP (P < 0.05). In conclusion, fiber inclusion in both experiments impaired growth performance but an equal combination of fiber improved immunity. In addition, broilers had a tendency to use separate sources of fiber.

GABAergic neurons in cerebellar interposed nucleus modulate cellular and humoral immunity via hypothalamic and sympathetic pathways.

Our previous work has shown that cerebellar interposed nucleus (IN) modulates immune function. Herein, we reveal mechanism underlying the immunomodulation. Treatment of bilateral cerebellar IN of rats with 3-mercaptopropionic acid (3-MP), a glutamic acid decarboxylase antagonist that reduces γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) synthesis, enhanced cellular and humoral immune responses to bovine serum albumin, whereas injection of vigabatrin, a GABA-transaminase inhibitor that inhibits GABA degradation, in bilateral cerebellar IN attenuated the immune responses. The 3-MP or vigabatrin administrations in the cerebellar IN decreased or increased hypothalamic GABA content and lymphoid tissues' norepinephrine content, respectively, but did not alter adrenocortical or thyroid hormone levels in serum. In addition, a direct GABAergic projection from cerebellar IN to hypothalamus was found. These findings suggest that GABAergic neurons in cerebellar IN regulate immune system via hypothalamic and sympathetic pathways.

Hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis activation and immune regulation in heat-stressed sheep after supplementation with polyunsaturated fatty acids.

The aim of this study was to assess the effects of supplementation with polyunsaturated fatty acids from different sources on immune regulation and hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis activation in heat-stressed sheep. The experiment was carried out during the summer 2012. Thirty-two Comisana ewes were divided into 4 groups (8 sheep/group): (1) supplemented with whole flaxseed (FS); (2) supplemented with Ascophyllum nodosum (AG); (3) supplemented with a combination of flaxseed and A. nodosum (FS+AG); and (4) control (C; no supplementation). On d 22 of the experiment, cortisol concentrations in sheep blood were measured after an injection of ACTH. Cellular immune response was evaluated by intradermic injection of phytohemagglutinin (PHA) at 0, 15, and 30 d of the trial. Humoral response to ovalbumin (OVA) was measured at 0, 15, and 30 d. At 0, 15, and 30 d of the experiment, blood samples were collected from each ewe to determine production of T-helper (Th)1 cytokines (IL-12 and IFN-γ), and Th2 cytokines (IL-10, IL-4, IL-13), and concentrations of heat shock proteins (HSP) 70 and 90. Ewes supplemented with flaxseed alone had greater cortisol concentrations and a longer-lasting cell-mediated immune response compared with ewes in the control and other groups. Anti-OVA IgG concentrations increased in all groups throughout the trial, even though ewes in the FS+AG group had the lowest anti-OVA IgG concentrations at 15 d. The level of IL-10 increased in all groups throughout the experiment; the FS+AG group had the lowest IL-13 concentration at 15 and 30 d. The concentration of HSP 70 increased in AG ewes at the end of the experiment and decreased in FS ewes, whereas that of HSP 90 increased in FS ewes compared with FS+AG ewes. Flaxseed supplementation was found to influence in vivo HPA activation in heat-stressed sheep, resulting in increased cortisol concentrations, probably to meet increased energy demand for thermoregulation. Flaxseed supplementation also supported Th1 response via a complex cross-talk between IL-10, IL-12, and IFN-γ production.

Acupuncture modulates the neuro-endocrine-immune network.

As a nonspecific physical stimulation, the effect of acupuncture on diseases is produced by motivating the inherent regulatory system in the body, having the characteristics of whole regulation, dual directional regulation, etc. Modern scientific researches show that body's inherent regulatory system is neuro-endocrine-immune (NEI) network. Hence, we speculate that the regulatory effect of acupuncture may be produced through its regulation of NEI network. In this article, we reviewed the recent researches about acupuncture's effect on the NEI network, to find out the evidence of acupuncture adjusting NEI network and provide some evidences for revealing the mechanism of acupuncture.

Intake of specific fatty acids and fat alters growth, health, and titers following vaccination in dairy calves.

Typical fatty acid profiles of milk and milk replacer (MR) differ. Calf MR in the United States are made from animal fat, which are low in short- and medium-chain fatty acids and linolenic acid. Two 56-d trials compared a control MR containing 27% crude protein and formulated with 3 fat and fatty acid compositions. The 3 MR treatments were (1) only animal fat totaling 17% fat (CON), (2) animal fat supplemented with butyrate, medium-chain fatty acids, and linolenic acid using a commercial product (1.25% NeoTec4 MR; Provimi North America, Brookville, OH) totaling 17% fat (fatty acid-supplemented; FA-S), and (3) milk fat totaling 33% fat (MF). The MR were fed at 660 g of dry matter from d 0 to 42 and weaned. Starter (20% crude protein) and water were fed ad libitum for 56 d. Trial 1 utilized Holstein calves (24 female, 24 male) during summer months and trial 2 utilized Holstein calves (48 male) during fall months. Calves (41±1 kg of initial body weight; 2 to 3d of age) were sourced from a single farm and housed in a naturally ventilated nursery without added heat. Calves were in individual pens with straw bedding. Calf was the experimental unit. Data for each trial were analyzed as a completely randomized design with a 3 (MR treatment) × 2 (sex) factorial arrangement of treatments in trial 1 with repeated measures and as a completely randomized design with 3 MR treatments in trial 2 with repeated measures. Preplanned contrast statements of treatments CON versus FA-S and CON versus MF were used to separate means. We found no interactions of MR treatment by sex. Calf average daily gain, hip width change, and feed efficiency differed (CONFA-S). Titers to bovine respiratory parainfluenza-3 and bovine virus diarrhea type 1 (vaccinations to these pathogens were on d 7 and 28) in serum samples taken on d 49 and 56 differed (CONFA-S; CONFA-S; CON>MF). Calves fed FA-S and MF had improved growth and feed efficiency compared with calves fed CON, whereas calves fed FA-S also had improved measurements related to health and immunity.

Dietary glutamine enhances immune responses of dairy cows under high ambient temperature.

The objective of the study was to determine the effects of adding Gln or Gln in combination with flaxseed to the diet on milk production and immune response of dairy cows during the summer season. The experiment lasted 60 d and involved 24 lactating Friesian cows, divided into 4 groups of 6 animals, fed as follows: (1) control diet, (2) control diet supplemented with 160 g/d of rumen-protected Gln (GLN), (3) control diet supplemented with whole flaxseed (FS), and (4) control diet supplemented with both flaxseed and Gln (FS+GLN). Individual milk samples were collected at morning and afternoon milkings every 14 d throughout the experiment and analyzed for pH, total protein, casein, fat, lactose content, and somatic cell count. Milk samples were also analyzed for milk fatty acid profile. Monitoring of cow immune responses was carried out by the determination of lymphocyte response to phytohemagglutinin in vivo on each animal by measurement of skin-fold thickness at site of phytohemagglutinin injection. A humoral response to chicken egg albumin (OVA) was determined following a subcutaneous injection with OVA. Plasma samples were measured for the presence of anti-OVA IgG, IL-1ß, IL-6, and IL-10. Results indicate that Gln administration can be used to support dairy cows under a hot climate, because Gln was able to enhance cow immune reactions in terms of a strengthening of cell-mediated immune response, which is weakened in cows under heat stress. In addition, an increase in milk and fat, protein, and casein yields in response to GLN was observed. When administrating Gln in combination with flaxseed, milk production and milk fat profile did not further increase compared with FS milk, and a reduction in immune reactivity compared with FS and GLN cows was found.

Circadian control of the immune system.

Circadian rhythms, which have long been known to play crucial roles in physiology, are emerging as important regulators of specific immune functions. Circadian oscillations of immune mediators coincide with the activity of the immune system, possibly allowing the host to anticipate and handle microbial threats more efficiently. These oscillations may also help to promote tissue recovery and the clearance of potentially harmful cellular elements from the circulation. This Review summarizes the current knowledge of circadian rhythms in the immune system and provides an outlook on potential future implications.

Regular tai chi exercise decreases the percentage of type 2 cytokine-producing cells in postsurgical non-small cell lung cancer survivors.

BACKGROUND: Tai Chi combines aspects of meditation and aerobic exercise. Its effect on the balance between cellular and humoral immunity, which potentiates human immunity against tumors, remains to be determined. OBJECTIVE: The objective was to investigate the effect of a 16-week Tai Chi exercise intervention on the recovery of postsurgical non-small cell lung cancer survivors. INTERVENTIONS/METHODS: A controlled study was performed in 32 lung cancer survivors who practiced Tai Chi during a 16-week period. The percentages of interferon γ-producing CD3 T lymphocyte cells (T1) and interleukin 4-producing CD3 T lymphocyte cells (T2) and CD3 T lymphocyte subsets (T helper cell type 1 [TH1], TH2; cytotoxic T cell type 1 [Tc1], Tc2) were determined as well as levels of hormones ß-endorphin, general catecholamines, and cortisol. RESULTS: Whereas the T1/T2 and Tc1/Tc2 ratios in the control group decreased in the natural course of postsurgical non-small cell lung cancer recovery (both P < .01), no changes were observed in the Tai Chi group. The differences in changes in the T1/T2 and Tc1/Tc2 ratios (both P < .01) and in T2 and Tc2 levels (P < .01) between the 2 groups were significant. The cortisol level increased in the control group (P < .05) but not in Tai Chi group. CONCLUSIONS: A 16-week Tai Chi exercise significantly diminished the magnitude of the decreased T1/T2 ratio in the natural course of recovery in a population of postsurgical non-small cell lung cancer survivors. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: Tai Chi may have a role in ameliorating the imbalance between humoral and cellular immunity, potentiating human immunity against tumors.

The hypothalamus mediates the effect of cerebellar fastigial nuclear glutamatergic neurons on humoral immunity.

OBJECTIVES: We explored effect of glutamatergic neurons in the fastigial nucleus (FN), one of three cerebellar nuclei, on humoral immunity and revealed that this effect was mediated by the hypothalamus via FN-hypothalamic glutamatergic transmission. METHODS: Rats were immunized with bovine serum albumin (BSA). On the third day after the immunization, 6-diazo-5-oxo-L-norleucine (DON), an inhibitor of glutaminase for glutamate synthesis, was microinjected in bilateral FN and D,L-threo-ß-hydroxyaspartic acid (THA), an inhibitor of glutamate transporters on plasma membrane, was microinjected in both sides of lateral hypothalamic area (LHA). Glutamate content in the hypothalamus was examined by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Flow cytometry and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) were used to measure B lymphocyte percentage in mononuclear cells of peripheral blood and levels of anti-BSA IgM and IgG antibodies in the serum, respectively. RESULTS: DON injection in bilateral FN reduced B lymphocyte percentage and anti-BSA IgM and IgG levels, and simultaneously decreased glutamate content in the hypothalamus. Combined treatment with DON in the FN and with THA in the LHA elevated B cell number and anti-BSA IgM and IgG levels and increased hypothalamic glutamate content compared with DON treatment alone. However, combined treatment with DON in the FN and with THA in the ventrolateral thalamic nuclei (VL) did not significantly alter DON-dependent changes in B cell number and antibody levels, although the co-treatment altered DON-dependent glutamate content in the thalamus. CONCLUSION: Cerebellar FN glutamatergic neurons participate in modulation of humoral immunity and this effect is mediated by the hypothalamus via FN-hypothalamic glutamatergic transmission.

Propóleos, inmunología y enfermedad de Peyronie / Propolis, Immunology and Peyronie's disease

Introducción: En varias investigaciones anteriores publicadas, hemos demostrado mejoría clínica de la enfermedad de Peyronie (EP) con propóleos. De las propiedades del propóleos, la inmunoestabilizadora es la que, hipotéticamente, produce dichos efectos. Objetivos: Analizar y conocer la correlación de la EP, el propóleos, la inmunología y la mejoría clínica. Material y métodos: Estudio prospectivo, pareado, ensayo clínico. Se estudian 30 pacientes. Dosis de 900 mg de propóleos diario durante 6 meses. Variables estudiadas: edad, raza, dirección de la curvatura, dolor, tamaño de la placa (pre y postratamiento) medida por exploración física, ecografía y ángulo de curvatura, dosificaciones de IgA, IgG, IGm, C3, C4, factor reumatoideo, proteína C reactiva, pruebas cutáneas. Resultados: La edad no presentó un predominio significativo. En cambio respecto a la raza, el 70% eran blancos. La curvatura, predominantemente, fue hacia arriba (40%). Con dolor consultó el 53,3%, siendo más manifiesto en los que tenían una curvatura hacia arriba (8 de los 12 casos). La modificación promedio en el grado de angulación (pre vs. postratamiento) fue de 38,1 g (pretratamiento) vs. 29,5 g (postratamiento) (p < 0,001). La variación en el tamaño de la placa, expresada en medición promedio de cada una de las 3 dimensiones, fue: medición física (cm) (1,9 × 1,3 × 1,3 pretratamiento) vs. (1,5 × 1,1 × 1,1 postratamiento) (p < 0,008, p < 0,0003, p < 0,0003); medición ecográfica (mm) (12,6 × 7,8 × 11,4 pretratamiento) vs. (11,7 × 7,5 × 5,1 postratamiento), p < 0,005). Pruebas humorales inmunológicas: C3 bajo en la mayoría de los pacientes. C4 rango normal. Aumento de C3 postratamiento a niveles normales y en las restantes que tenían niveles normales, pero en rangos limítrofes normales inferiores, aumentaron postratamiento (IGg, IGm, IGa y C4): en la inmunidad celular pretratamiento, pacientes inmunodeprimidos 18, moderadamente deprimidos 2 y normales 10 (33,3%). Postratamiento, sólo 1 paciente inmunodeprimido. Discusión: Al evaluar las variables principales de la investigación, observamos que la angulación del pene después del tratamiento durante 6 meses con propóleos se redujo notablemente, así como el tamaño de la placa medida físicamente por el investigador, y ecográficamente por el imagenólogo, se redujo al finalizar el tratamiento. Y, finalmente, analizando el sistema inmunológico de los pacientes tratados antes y después del tratamiento, los que lo tenían deprimido en mayor o menor grado se normalizaron, y otros pacientes cuyas cifras en los test eran normales, pero en el límite inferior de los valores referenciales, aumentaron al finalizar el tratamiento. Conclusiones: Existe una relación de inmunología deprimida en pacientes afectos de EP. La mejoría clínica de estos pacientes con EP, tratados con propóleos, se asocia a la mejoría inmunológica. Con un tratamiento de propóleos, se reduce el ángulo de curvatura del pene, la placa disminuye su tamaño y mejora su estado inmunológico deficiente (AU)

Introduction: In several previously published articles, we have shown clinical improvement in Peyronie's disease (PD) with propolis. Among the properties of propolis, immunostabilization is that which hypothetically corresponds to these effects. Objectives: To analyze and determine the associations among PD, propolis, immunology and clinical improvement. Material and methods: We performed a prospective, paired clinical trial of 30 patients. A dose of 900 mg propolis daily was administered for 6 months. The variables studied were age, race, direction of the curvature, pain, size of the plaque (pre- and post-treatment), as measured by physical examination, ultrasound and angle of curvature; levels of IgA, IgG, IGm, C3, C4, rheumatoid factor and C-reactive protein, and the results of skin tests. Results: There was no predominant age, while 70% of the patients were white. The curvature was predominantly upwards (40%).Pain was present in 53.3%, and was more frequent when the curvature was upwards (8 of the 12 patients). The mean change in the degree of angulation (pre- vs. post- treatment) was 38.1º(pre-treatment) vs. 29.5º(post-treatment) (p < 0.001). The variation in the size of the plaque, expressed as the mean of each of the three dimensions was as follows: physical measurement (cm) (1.9×1.3×1.3 pre-treatment) vs. (1.5×1.1×1.1 post-treatment) (p<0.008, p<0.0003, p<0.0003); ultrasound measurement (mm) (12.6x7.8×11.4(pre-treatment) vs. (11.7×7.5×5.1 post-treatment) (p < 0.005). The results of humoral immunological tests were as follows: C3 levels were low in the majority of the patients; C4 levels were within the normal range; C3 concentrations increased after treatment to within the normal range and levels increased after treatment in the remaining patients who had levels at the lower limit of normal before treatment. The results of cellular immunity tests (IGg, IGm, IGa and C4) showed that before treatment 18 patients were immunodepressed, two showed moderate immunodepression and 10 showed normal cellular immune function (33.3%). After treatment, only one patient was immunodepressed. Discussion: On evaluating the main variables, we found that the angle of the penis after 6 months of treatment with propolis was significantly reduced. The size of the plaque measured physically by the physician and sonographically by the sonographer was also reduced at the end of the treatment. In patients who were immunodepressed before treatment, immune function returned to normal to a greater or lesser extent. Patients with low values before treatment showed improved immune function after treatment. Conclusions: There is an association between immunodepression and PD. The clinical improvement in patients with PD treated with propolis was associated with improved immune function. Propolis reduces the angle of penile curvature and the size of the plaque and improves immune function (AU)

Fermented milk supplemented with probiotics and prebiotics can effectively alter the intestinal microbiota and immunity of host animals.

Fermented milk supplemented with 2 probiotic strains, Bifidobacterium lactis Bi-07 and Lactobacillus acidophilus NCFM, and a prebiotic, isomaltooligosaccharide, was orally administered to 100 healthy adults at 480 g/d for 2 wk in a randomized controlled trial. The fecal bacterial compositions of these subjects were examined by culture before and after the intervention. The same fermented milk was also orally fed to BALB/c mice, and immune as well as fecal bacteria analyses were conducted using the same culturing methods. After the intervention, increases in fecal bifidobacteria and lactobacilli were observed among the subjects compared with the subjects in the control group. In contrast, after the intervention, fecal enterobacilli were significantly decreased in the test group compared with the control group. The same effects on the composition of the intestinal microbiota were observed in mice. Furthermore, the tested mice were found to have significantly increased delayed-type hypersensitivity, plaque-forming cells, and half-hemolysis values after the intervention with the fermented milk. In summary, the synbiotic fermented milk containing probiotics and a prebiotic may contribute to improve intestinal health and may have a positive effect on the humoral and cell-mediated immunity of host animals.

Current adjuvants and new perspectives in vaccine formulation.

Given the important role of adjuvants in prophylactic vaccines, identification and development of new adjuvants with enhanced efficacy and safety is necessary. The use of adjuvants with immunopotentiating properties that can direct the immune responses to humoral or cell-mediated immunity and can induce T-cell responses has made it possible to design more protective vaccines. Although current regulations focus on traditional adjuvants, notably aluminum and calcium salts, advances have been made in regulatory considerations. The regulatory agencies for the evaluation of medicinal products are actively drafting guidance on requirements for the evaluation of new adjuvants. This article briefly summarizes the most widely studied adjuvants in vaccination, including those licensed for human vaccines and the regulatory aspects relevant to adjuvant quality at development stages.

Dynamics of growth and nonspecific resistance of productive animals under biogeochemical conditions of the Sura and Trans-Sura regions in Chuvashia.

Complex evaluation of the effects of biogenic compounds Permamic, Combiolax, DAFS-25, Selenopyrane, and Trepel on pigs and young boars with consideration for the biogeochemical characteristics of the Sura and Trans-Sura regions in Chuvashia demonstrated their pronounced neuroimmunoendocrine effect.