Therapeutic effect of Xuebijing combined with thymosin on hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome: A protocol of systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: The goal of this study is to assess the therapeutic effect of Xuebijing combined with thymosin (XBJ-T) for the treatment of patients with hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS). METHODS: We will search the electronic databases of Cochrane Library, PUBMED, EMBASE, PsycINFO, Scopus, Opengrey, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, Web of Science, Google scholar, Allied and Complementary Medicine Database, and Chinese Biomedical Literature Database from inception to the present. No language and publication status will be employed in this study. Based on the predefined eligibility criteria, selection of study and data extraction will be performed by 2 researchers independently. Study quality will be assessed using Cochrane risk of bias tool. We will apply RevMan 5.3 software to pool and analyze the extracted data. RESULTS: This study will assess the therapeutic effect of XBJ-T for the treatment of patients with HFRS. CONCLUSION: The findings of this study may provide systematic evidence to judge whether XBJ-T is an effective and safety intervention for HFRS. STUDY REGISTRATION NUMBER: INPLASY202040068.

Protective effects of seaweed supplemented diet on antioxidant and immune responses in European seabass (Dicentrarchus labrax) subjected to bacterial infection.

European seabass (Dicentrarchus labrax) production is often hampered by bacterial infections such as photobacteriosis caused by Photobacterium damselae subsp. piscicida (Phdp). Since diet can impact fish immunity, this work investigated the effect of dietary supplementation of 5% Gracilaria sp. aqueous extract (GRA) on seabass antioxidant capacity and resistance against Phdp. After infection, mortality was delayed in fish fed GRA, which also revealed increased lysozyme activity levels, as well as decreased lipid peroxidation, suggesting higher antioxidant capacity than in fish fed a control diet. Dietary GRA induced a down-regulation of hepatic stress-responsive heat shock proteins (grp-78, grp-170, grp-94, grp-75), while bacterial infection caused a down-regulation in antioxidant genes (prdx4 and mn-sod). Diet and infection interaction down-regulated the transcription levels of genes associated with oxidative stress response (prdx5 and gpx4) in liver. In head-kidney, GRA led to an up-regulation of genes associated with inflammation (il34, ccr9, cd33) and a down-regulation of genes related to cytokine signalling (mif, il1b, defb, a2m, myd88). Additionally, bacterial infection up-regulated immunoglobulins production (IgMs) and down-regulated the transcription of the antimicrobial peptide leap2 in head kidney. Overall, we found that GRA supplementation modulated seabass resistance to Phdp infection.

Epitope analysis of Japanese cedar pollen allergen Cry j2 with a human IgM class monoclonal antibody 404-117.

Japanese cedar pollen allergen Cry j2 is a causal allergen of seasonal pollinosis in Japan. To analyze B cell epitopes of Cry j2, we established two human-mouse hybridomas secreting IgM class human monoclonal antibodies to Cry j2. A pin-peptide enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay with synthesized icosa peptides showed that 404-117 monoclonal antibody bound to peptides #11-13 with cry j2 amino acid sequence of 101F-L140. Detailed analysis with octa peptides and alanine substituted peptides indicated that an amino acid sequence of 118FKVD121 was an essential for antibody binding. When K119 (Asn) was substituted with alanine, 404-117 monoclonal antibody did not bind to the alanine substituted peptide. We concluded that the 118FKVD121 sequence might have a very important role in early recognition by Cry j2-specific B cells, which could act as antigen presenting cells.

Cocoa and cocoa fibre differentially modulate IgA and IgM production at mucosal sites.

Previous studies have shown that a 10 % cocoa (C10) diet, containing polyphenols and fibre among others, modifies intestinal and systemic Ig production. The present study aimed at evaluating the impact of C10 on IgA and IgM production in the intestinal and extra-intestinal mucosal compartments, establishing the involvement of cocoa fibre (CF) in such effects. Mechanisms by which C10 intake may affect IgA synthesis in the salivary glands were also studied. To this effect, rats were fed either a standard diet, a diet containing C10, CF or inulin. Intestinal (the gut wash (GW), Peyer's patches (PP) and mesenteric lymph nodes (MLN)) and extra-intestinal (salivary glands) mucosal tissues and blood samples were collected for IgA and IgM quantification. The gene expressions of IgA production- and homing-related molecules were studied in the salivary glands. The C10 diet decreased intestinal IgA and IgM production. Although the CF diet decreased the GW IgA concentration, it increased PP, MLN and serum IgA concentrations. Both the C10 and the CF diets produced a down-regulatory effect on IgA secretion in the extra-intestinal tissues. The C10 diet interacted with the mechanisms involved in IgA synthesis, whereas the CF showed particular effects on the homing and transcytosis of IgA across the salivary glands. Overall, CF was able to up-regulate IgA production in the intestinal-inductor compartments, whereas it down-regulated its production at the mucosal-effector ones. Further studies must be directed to ascertain the mechanisms involved in the effect of particular cocoa components on gut-associated lymphoid tissue.

Effects of formaldehyde inhalation on humoral immunity and protective effect of Nigella sativa oil: An experimental study.

AIM: This study was carried out to determine the effects of formaldehyde (FA) inhalation on the humoral immunity of rats and the protective effect of Nigella sativa (NS) oil. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The rats (n = 33) were divided into five groups, with five animals in the control group (FA-free air) and seven in the other four groups. Group FA1 was exposed to FA (5 ppm), group FA + NS1 was treated with NS and exposed to FA (5 ppm), group FA2 was exposed to FA (10 ppm), and group FA + NS2 was treated with NS and exposed to FA (10 ppm). At the end of a 4-week study period, blood samples were collected. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to determine the levels of serum total immunoglobulin A (IgA), total immunoglobulin M (IgM), total immunoglobulin G (IgG), and complement 3 (C3). RESULTS: FA inhalation significantly increased serum IgA, IgM, and C3 levels and decreased serum IgG levels compared with the control group. NS administration decreased serum IgA, IgM, and C3 levels, which were induced by FA inhalation. CONCLUSION: FA inhalation significantly increased acute antibody responses and C3 levels in a dose-dependent manner compared with the control group. FA inhalation decreased the secondary immune response compared with the control group. Levels of acute antibody responses and complement following exposure to FA inhalation returned to normal following treatment with NS (immunoregulatory effect). However, NS did not affect the secondary immune response.

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.

Evaluating the effect of oral administration of Echinacea hydroethanolic extract on the immune system in dog.

This study was designed to evaluate the effects of oral administration of Echinacea hydroethanolic extract on the dog's immune system. The study was performed on 14 dogs that were referred to the veterinary clinic. These dogs were randomly allocated to two equal treatment groups. The first group received 1 ml of 5% Echinacea hydroethanolic extract two times a day for 2 months, and the second group received a placebo (water). To do haematology and immunology tests, the dogs were bled on days 0, 30 and 60. Blood tests, including packed cell volume (PCV), haemoglobin (Hb), red blood cell count (RBC), white blood cell count (WBC), counting neutrophils (Nut), lymphocytes (Lym), monocytes (Mon), eosinophils (Eos), basophils (Baso) and B cell, were performed. Furthermore, safety factor IgM and per cent of phagocytosis and phagocyte were measured from the blood sample. The results showed that in the group which received Echinacea PCV, Hb, RBC count, WBC count, Lym, Nut, the per cent of phagocytosis and IgM significantly increased (P < 0.05). Moreover, positive effects of Echinacea plant on the immune system were observed. There was a significant change in HTC, RBC, Hb over time in the group that received Echinacea and the per cent of phagocytosis and IgM (P < 0.05). The study establishes that these extracts might have appreciable immunostimulatory activity. However, further studies are required to confirm these findings.

n-3 PUFAs enhance the frequency of murine B-cell subsets and restore the impairment of antibody production to a T-independent antigen in obesity.

The role of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) on in vivo B-cell immunity is unknown. We first investigated how n-3 PUFAs impacted in vivo B-cell phenotypes and antibody production in the absence and presence of antigen compared with a control diet. Lean mice consuming n-3 PUFAs for 4 weeks displayed increased percentage and frequency of splenic transitional 1 B cells. Upon stimulation with trinitrophenylated-lipopolysaccharide, n-3 PUFAs increased the number of splenic transitional 1/2, follicular, premarginal, and marginal zone B cells. n-3 PUFAs also increased surface, but not circulating, IgM. We next tested the effects of n-3 PUFAs in a model of obesity that is associated with suppressed humoral immunity. An obesogenic diet after ten weeks of feeding, relative to a lean control, had no effect on the frequency of B cells but lowered circulating IgM upon antigen stimulation. Administration of n-3 PUFAs to lean and obese mice increased the percentage and/or frequency of transitional 1 and marginal zone B cells. Furthermore, n-3 PUFAs in lean and obese mice increased circulating IgM relative to controls. Altogether, the data show n-3 PUFAs enhance B cell-mediated immunity in vivo, which has implications for immunocompromised populations, such as the obese.

Preliminary study of the immunostimulating activity of an ayurvedic preparation, Kanakasava, on the splenic cells of BALB/c mice in vitro.

CONTEXT: Immunostimulant plays an important role to prevent infections when defensive capacity of body is impaired, commonly occur with aging, cancer, diabetes, and sepsis. Kanakasava (KNK) is a polyherbal ayurvedic preparation used since ancient times for the treatment of respiratory diseases and to improve immunity. OBJECTIVE: The present study evaluated the immunostimulating potential of KNK. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The immunostimulating activity of KNK was evaluated by measuring immunoglobulin M (IgM) production and splenocyte proliferation in vitro. BALB/c mice splenocytes were treated with 0, 0.25, 0.5, 0.75, 1, 1.5, 2, 3, and 4% (v/v) of KNK, and the cells were subcultured at 37°C, humidified atmosphere containing 5% CO(2) for 120 h. The production of IgM in cultured supernatants were determined by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and the proliferations of cells were measured by the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-y)-2,5-diphenylterazolium bromide (MTT) method. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: KNK at the doses of 0.25, 0.5, 0.75, 1, and 1.5% (v/v) significantly augmented polyclonal IgM production (1.211, 1.260, 1.274, 1.180, and 1.028 µg/mL, respectively) compared to control (0.246 µg/mL). Similarly, the same doses stimulated the proliferation of splenocytes as well (Abs. 0.270, 0.281, 0.368, 0.328, and 0.301, respectively, measured at 570 nm) compared to untreated cells (Abs. 0.137). The activity of KNK was not retarded by the treatment of cells with polymixin B. Thus, our results demonstrate that KNK possesses immunostimulating potential that acts through the induction of lymphocytes for proliferation and IgM production. CONCLUSION: KNK may be useful for strengthening immune responses in case of insufficient or impaired immunity.

Early treatment with fluconazole may abrogate the development of IgG antibodies in coccidioidomycosis.

BACKGROUND: We have observed a number of patients who fail to develop coccidioidal complement fixing (CF) antibody (immunoglobulin [IgG]) after the initiation of early antifungal therapy. Although this is the first description of this phenomenon in mycology, a precedent for the abrogation of the immune response has been observed in other conditions, including primary syphilis and primary Lyme disease. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective case-control study to determine any patient-specific risk factors associated with this observation. Additionally, in vitro analysis of the coccidioidal CF (IgG) antigen (Cts1) was performed after Coccidioides was grown under escalating fluconazole concentrations. RESULTS: Seventeen patients persistently positive for coccidioidal IgM antibodies without developing an IgG response (cases) were compared with 64 consecutive patients who did develop coccidioidal CF (IgG) antibodies (controls). Early treatment with antifungals (within 2 weeks of symptom onset) was associated with an abrogation of IgG antibody production (P < .001). With immunodiffusion testing, control serum demonstrated a lack of IgG seroreactivity when Coccidioides posadasii grown in the presence of escalating fluconazole doses (0.5-128 µg/mL) was used as the antigen; however, control serum remained seroreactive for the presence of IgM. The coccidioidal IgG antigen (Cts1) was shown to be diminished when cultures were grown in the presence of fluconazole, lending further in vitro plausibility to our findings. CONCLUSIONS: The abrogation of an IgG response in patients treated early in the course of coccidioidal infection may complicate serodiagnosis and epidemiologic studies, and further study to determine the potential clinical implications should be performed.

Enhancement of antibody synthesis in rats by feeding cis-9,trans-11 conjugated linoleic acid during early life.

Previous studies have demonstrated that the intake of a 1% conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) diet in an 80:20 mixture of cis-9,trans-11 and trans-10,cis-12 exerts age-specific effects on the immune system: immunoglobulin enhancement and proliferative down-modulation in neonatal and adult rats, respectively. The present study evaluates the influence of the same diet on antibody synthesis of early infant Wistar rats during suckling and/or after weaning. Dietary supplementation was performed during suckling and early infancy (4 weeks), only during suckling (3 weeks), or only in early infancy (1 week). CLA content in plasma and serum immunoglobulin (Ig) G, IgM and IgA concentration were determined. Proliferation, cytokines and Ig production were evaluated on isolated splenocytes. Cis-9,trans-11- and trans-10,cis-12-CLA isomers were detected in the plasma of all CLA-supplemented animals, and the highest content was quantified in those rats supplemented over the longest period. These rats also exhibited higher concentrations of serum IgG, IgM and IgA. Moreover, splenocytes from CLA-supplemented rats showed the highest IgM and IgG synthesis and interleukin (IL)-6 production, whereas their proliferative ability was lower. In summary, in infant rats, we observed both the enhance antibody synthesis previously reported in neonates, and the reduced lymphoproliferation previously reported in adults.

Resveratrol alters proliferative responses and apoptosis in human activated B lymphocytes in vitro.

We hypothesized that the phytochemicals resveratrol, quercetin, and kaempferol would modulate B lymphocyte proliferation, Ig synthesis, and apoptosis after activation. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) were isolated from 12 healthy adult human volunteers and incubated with pokeweed mitogen plus 0, 2, 5, and 10 mumol/L resveratrol, quercetin, or kaempferol. After 6 d, CD19+ B cells were analyzed for proliferation, B cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2) expression, and activation of caspase-3 using flow cytometry. After 8 d, cell supernatants were collected and IgM and IgG were measured by ELISA. Resveratrol at a concentration of 5 mumol/L increased the percentage of CD19+ cells compared with mitogen only-stimulated cells (P < 0.01), and a trend for increased proliferation was observed for cells treated with 0, 2, and 5 mumol/L resveratrol (P-trend = 0.01). However, 10 mumol/L resveratrol inhibited proliferation of B lymphocytes (P < 0.01). Expression of Bcl-2 and caspase-3 activation increased in B cells treated with 10 mumol/L resveratrol compared with mitogen alone (P < 0.01), and trends for dose-responsive increases in Bcl-2 expression and caspase-3 activation were observed (P-trend < 0.0001). Differences in IgM and IgG production were not observed for PBMC treated with resveratrol. Kaempferol at 10 mumol/L slightly inhibited proliferative responses (P < 0.05) but did not affect B cell function or apoptosis. Quercetin did not alter B cell proliferation, function, or apoptosis. These data show that human B lymphocyte proliferation and apoptosis are modified by physiological concentrations of resveratrol and suggest that exposure of human B cells to resveratrol may increase survival by upregulating Bcl-2.

Vaccination-induced systemic autoimmunity in farmed Atlantic salmon.

Over half of the salmon consumed globally are farm-raised. The introduction of oil-adjuvanted vaccines into salmon aquaculture made large-scale production feasible by preventing infections. The vaccines that are given i.p. contain oil adjuvant such as mineral oil. However, in rodents, a single i.p. injection of adjuvant hydrocarbon oil induces lupus-like systemic autoimmune syndrome, characterized by autoantibodies, immune complex glomerulonephritis, and arthritis. In the present study, whether the farmed salmon that received oil-adjuvanted vaccine have autoimmune syndrome similar to adjuvant oil-injected rodents was examined. Sera and tissues were collected from vaccinated or unvaccinated Atlantic salmon (experimental, seven farms) and wild salmon. Autoantibodies (immunofluorescence, ELISA, and immunoprecipitation) and IgM levels (ELISA) in sera were measured. Kidneys and livers were examined for pathology. Autoantibodies were common in vaccinated fish vs unvaccinated controls and they reacted with salmon cells/Ags in addition to their reactivity with mammalian Ags. Diffuse nuclear/cytoplasmic staining was common in immunofluorescence but some had more specific patterns. Serum total IgM levels were also increased in vaccinated fish; however, the fold increase of autoantibodies was much more than that of total IgM. Sera from vaccinated fish immunoprecipitated ferritin and approximately 50% also reacted with other unique proteins. Thrombosis and granulomatous inflammation in liver, and immune-complex glomerulonephritis were common in vaccinated fish. Autoimmunity similar to the mouse model of adjuvant oil-induced lupus is common in vaccinated farmed Atlantic salmon. This may have a significant impact on production loss, disease of previously unknown etiology, and future strategies of vaccines and salmon farming.

Analysis of epitope-specific immune responses induced by vaccination with structurally folded and unfolded recombinant Bet v 1 allergen derivatives in man.

Previously, we have constructed recombinant derivatives of the major birch pollen allergen, Bet v 1, with a more than 100-fold reduced ability to induce IgE-mediated allergic reactions. These derivatives differed from each other because the two recombinant Bet v 1 fragments represented unfolded molecules whereas the recombinant trimer resembled most of the structural fold of the Bet v 1 allergen. In this study, we analyzed the Ab (IgE, IgG subclass, IgA, IgM) response to Bet v 1, recombinant and synthetic Bet v 1-derived peptides in birch pollen allergic patients who had been vaccinated with the derivatives or adjuvant alone. Furthermore, we studied the induction of IgE-mediated skin responses in these patients using Bet v 1 and Bet v 1 fragments. Both types of vaccines induced a comparable IgG1 and IgG4 response against new sequential epitopes which overlap with the conformational IgE epitopes of Bet v 1. This response was 4- to 5-fold higher than that induced by immunotherapy with birch pollen extract. Trimer more than fragments induced also IgE responses against new epitopes and a transient increase in skin sensitivity to the fragments at the beginning of therapy. However, skin reactions to Bet v 1 tended to decrease one year after treatment in both actively treated groups. We demonstrate that vaccination with folded and unfolded recombinant allergen derivatives induces IgG Abs against new epitopes. These data may be important for the development of therapeutic as well as prophylactic vaccines based on recombinant allergens.

The preclinical testing of a formaldehyde inactivated Ross River virus vaccine designed for use in humans.

Ross River virus was grown in industrial facilities in vaccine-certified Vero cells in the absence of serum, inactivated using standard formalin-inactivation protocols, treated with Benzonase to digest host cell DNA and purified on a sucrose gradient. Mice given two subcutaneous injections of 0.625 microg of this vaccine or two doses of 0.156 microg vaccine with aluminium hydroxide adjuvant failed to develop a detectable viraemia after intravenous challenge with 10(6)TCID50 of the prototype strain of Ross River virus (T48). Guinea pigs immunised with one or two10 microg doses of vaccine with adjuvant also failed to develop a detectable viraemia following a similar challenge. The levels of neutralising antibody (neutralisation index 1.9-3.1) in the mice protected against challenge with 10(6)TCID50 Ross River virus were similar to those in 16 former epidemic polyarthritis patients (1.1-3.5) who had not experienced a second clinical infection with Ross River virus in the 20 years following their initial infection.

Augmentation of antigen-specific antibody production and IL-10 generation with a fraction from Rooibos (Aspalathus linearis) tea.

Rooibos tea was extracted with boiling water. The aqueous extract was chromatographed in a Diaion HP20 column eluted stepwise with water, 25%, 50% and 75% (v/v) aqueous methanol, and 100% methanol. The water eluate (fraction A) showed an augmenting effect on anti-ovalbumin (anti-OVA) immunoglobulin M (IgM) production in OVA-stimulated murine splenocytes in vitro. Fraction A also showed a strong augmenting effect on interleukin-10 generation in murine splenocytes. Furthermore, continuous ingestion of fraction A was found to increase the anti-OVA IgM level in the sera of OVA-immunized mice.

TLR7 imidazoquinoline ligand 3M-019 is a potent adjuvant for pure protein prototype vaccines.

Cancer vaccines, while theoretically attractive, present difficult challenges that must be overcome to be effective. Cancer vaccines are often poorly immunogenic and may require augmentation of immunogenicity through the use of adjuvants and/or immune response modifiers. Toll-like receptor (TLR) ligands are a relatively new class of immune response modifiers that may have great potential in inducing and augmenting both cellular and humoral immunity to vaccines. TLR7 ligands produce strong cellular responses and specific IgG2a and IgG2b antibody responses to protein immunogens. This study shows that a new TLR7 ligand, 3M-019, in combination with liposomes produces very strong immune responses to a pure protein prototype vaccine in mice. Female C57BL/6 mice were immunized subcutaneously with ovalbumin (OVA, 0.1 mg/dose) weekly 4x. Some groups were immunized to OVA plus 3M-019 or to OVA plus 3M-019 encapsulated in liposomes. Both antibody and cellular immune responses against OVA were measured after either two or four immunizations. Anti-OVA IgG antibody responses were significantly increased after two immunizations and were substantially higher after four immunizations in mice immunized with OVA combined with 3M-019. Encapsulation in liposomes further augmented antibody responses. IgM responses, on the other hand, were lowered by 3M-019. OVA-specific IgG2a levels were increased 625-fold by 3M-019 in liposomes compared to OVA alone, while anti-OVA IgG2b levels were over 3,000 times higher. In both cases encapsulation of 3M-019 in liposomes was stronger than either liposomes alone or 3M-019 without liposomes. Cellular immune responses were likewise increased by 3M-019 but further enhanced when it was encapsulated in liposomes. The lack of toxicity also indicates that this combination may by safe, effective method to boost immune response to cancer vaccines.

Immunostimulation effect of jellyfish collagen.

Certain edible large jellyfishes belonging to the order Rhizostomeae are consumed in large quantities in China and Japan. The exumbrella part of the edible jellyfish Stomolophus nomurai was cut and soaked in dilute hydrochloric acid solution (pH 3.0) for 12 h, and heated at 121 degrees C for 20 min. The immunostimulation effects of the jellyfish extract were examined. The jellyfish extract enhanced IgM production of human hybridoma HB4C5 cells 34-fold. IgM and IgG production of human peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) were also accelerated, 2.8- and 1.4-fold respectively. Moreover, production of interferon (IFN)-gamma and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha by human PBL was stimulated 100- and 17-fold respectively. Collagenase treatment inactivated the immunostimulation activity of the jellyfish extract. In addition, purified collagen from bovine Achilles' tendon accelerated IgM production of hybridoma cells. These facts mean that collagen has an immunostimulation effect, and that the active substance in jellyfish extract is collagen.

Dietary effect of pomegranate seed oil on immune function and lipid metabolism in mice.

OBJECTIVES: We evaluated the effects of dietary pomegranate seed oil (PSO), which contains high levels of punicic acid (9c, 11t, 13c-octadecatrienoic acid), on immune function and lipid metabolism in C57BL/6N mice. METHODS: Mice were fed experimental diets containing 0%, 0.12%, or 1.2% PSO for 3 wk. RESULTS: No significant differences were observed between growth patterns of the experimental groups. Splenocytes isolated from mice fed 0.12% or 1.2% PSO produced larger amounts of immunoglobulins G and M but not immunoglobulin A irrespective of stimulation with or without phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate and the calcium ionophore A23187. Dietary PSO did not affect the percentages of B cells or CD4-positive or CD8-positive T cells in splenocytes. Levels of interleukin-4, interferon-gamma, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha production from splenocytes were comparable among all dietary groups. Analysis of serum lipid parameters showed significant increases in serum triacylglycerol and phospholipid levels but not in total cholesterol in the PSO groups. Serum, liver, epididymal, and perirenal adipose punicic acid levels were high with increases in dietary PSO level. However, punicic acid was not detected in splenocytes for any dietary group. Interestingly, 9c, 11t-conjugated linoleic acid level could be detected in serum, liver, and adipose tissues in mice fed the 0.12% or 1.2% PSO diet. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that PSO may enhance B-cell function in vivo.

Humoral defence improvement and haematopoiesis stimulation in sows and offspring by oral supply of shark-liver oil to mothers during gestation and lactation.

Shark-liver oil (SLO) contains two bioactive lipids: alkylglycerols and n-3 PUFA. Alkylglycerols have immunostimulating and haematopoietic properties, while n-3 PUFA are essential for optimal neonatal development. We investigated the beneficial effects of dietary supplementation with 32 g SLO/d to twelve pregnant and then lactating sows (from day 80 of pregnancy to weaning) on the growth and immune status of their offspring, compared with a control group. Sows were vaccinated against Aujeszky's disease 21 d before term. Blood samples were collected from sows before treatment, on delivery and 14 d later, and from five piglets per litter on days 2, 21 and 36 after birth; colostrum and milk samples were collected 12 h, 14 and 28 d postpartum. Compared with controls, supplemented sows had higher levels of both erythrocytes and Hb in their blood, and higher concentrations of IgG, alkylglycerols and n-3 PUFA in their mammary secretions. In piglets from supplemented sows, leucocytes and IgG were higher. Supplementation with SLO resulted in an increase in Aujeszky antibodies in both blood and colostrum of sows after vaccination, together with an increase in Aujeszky antibodies in piglet blood. Our findings demonstrate that improvement of both passive and active immune status in piglets is related to the consumption of alkylglycerols associated with n-3 PUFA in the sow diet. The overall improvement in offspring health status by SLO supplementation to the mother could be of interest for optimisation of the lipid diet during and after pregnancy.