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PubMedDate not supplied

[Obesity and immune function].

The perspective of obesity as a low grade systemic inflammatory condition has triggered a new interest on the many overlapping areas between this pathology and the immune system. White adipose tissue production of proteins related to the immune function has shown that many of these adipokines are implied in the ethiopathogenesis of some of the major metabolic diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular diseases, which share with obesity an important role in the Metabolic Syndrome. Besides, dysregulation of immune system may be present due to a dysregulation in the factors produced by adipose tissue. Weight loss through diet or surgery has proved to be beneficial for the recovery of the physiological levels of some of these pro-inflammatory molecules, but other studies are needed to clarify to which extent its possible to pursue risk reduction by this way.

Adiponectin↗
PubMed2003

Impact of perioperative treatment of recombinant human growth hormone on cell immune function and intestinal barrier function: randomized, double-blind, controlled trial.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of recombinant human growth hormone (GH) on cell immune function, intestinal barrier function, and outcome. A placebo-controlled randomized double-blind trial was performed, with 20 patients undergoing abdominal surgery enrolled in the study. The patients in the study group received GH (0.3 IU/kg/day) subcutaneously from day 3 before operation until day 7 after operation. The patients in the control group received placebo injections. All the patients were given isonitrogenic (0.15 g N/kg/day) and isocaloric (20 kcal/kg/day) parenteral nutrition from preoperative day 1 through postoperative day (POD) 6. The serum GH and insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) levels, intestinal permeability, peripheral CD4+/CD8+ lymphocyte subsets, and routine blood and biochemistry analyses were evaluated before and after GH treatment. In the study group a significant increase in serum levels of GH and IGF-1 was observed on PODs 3 and 7. A significant decrease in the CD4+ subset population and the CD4+/CD8+ ratio was observed in the control group on POD 7 compared with preoperative studies, whereas no change was observed in the study group. The lactulose/mannitol excretion (L/M) ratio in the control group was elevated significantly on POD 7 compared with that before operation ( p = 0.01), whereas the L/M ratio in the study group did not change compared to preoperative values ( p = 0.08). No adverse reactions were related to the administration. There were no differences observed in operation-related complications or postoperative hospital stays between the two groups. This small pilot study suggests that GH attenuated the depression in cellular immunity following surgical stress and possibly reduced the increase in intestinal permeability that occurs following operation. Further studies of a large group of patients are needed to determine if these changes can be translated into improved outcome in surgical patients.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

[Study on regulatory effect of composite taixian tablet on immune function of red blood cell in patients with oral lichen planus].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the regulatory effect of Composite Taixian tablet (CTXT) on red blood cell (RBC) immune function in patients with oral lichen planus (OLP) for the sake of providing the basis of clinical medication. METHODS: Sixty patients with OLP were assigned randomly into three groups and were treated by CTXT, Tripterygium hypoglaucum tablet and polyactin-A tablet respectively. And the changes of RBC-C3b receptor and immune circulating rosette complex on the surface of erythrocytes (RBC-ICR) were measured by saccharomycetic assay. RESULTS: Effect of CTXT was superior to that of Tripterygium hypoglaucum and polyactin-A tablets. CONCLUSION: CTXT is a relatively effective remedy with less side effect, it is worthy to be studied further.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

Lymphocyte phenotype does not predict immune function in pediatric patients infected with human immunodeficiency virus type 1.

To determine whether assays of lymphocyte phenotype were predictive of antigen-specific immunologic function in children infected with human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1), we compared the antigen-specific cellular and humoral functions (tetanus toxoid-induced T lymphocyte blastogenesis and anti-tetanus toxoid antibody) with the patients' T lymphocyte phenotype, determined at the same time. Although both HIV-1-infected patient populations studied (pediatric hemophilia patients and other pediatric patients) had decreases in the values determined by their functional and phenotypic assays, no association between the functional and phenotypic assays was demonstrated. Thus some HIV-1-infected patients with a normal phenotype had no antigen-specific function, whereas other patients with a markedly abnormal T lymphocyte phenotype had normal antigen specific T lymphocyte function. These results indicate that the assessment of HIV-1-infected patients should include assays of antigen-specific immune function in addition to assays of T lymphocyte phenotype.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed2003

Is the allocation of metabolisable protein prioritised to milk production rather than to immune functions in Teladorsagia circumcincta-infected lactating ewes?

It has been suggested that the periparturient breakdown of immunity to parasites has a nutritional basis. Our overall hypothesis is that it results from a prioritised scarce nutrient allocation to reproductive functions (e.g. milk production) rather than to immune functions. We tested this hypothesis by offering five levels of dietary metabolisable protein, ranging from 0.65 to 1.25 times their assumed requirements, for 4 weeks post-parturition to twin-rearing Greyface ewes, experimentally infected with Teladorsagia circumcincta. We hypothesised that the initial increments of metabolisable protein supply would increase milk production without affecting the degree of breakdown of immunity whilst later increments would reduce the degree of breakdown of immunity. The first two increments of metabolisable protein supply indeed increased milk production and did not affect final worm burdens, but in contrast to the expectation, reduced faecal egg counts and total egg output. The last two increments of metabolisable protein supply did not further affect milk production and egg output, but resulted in reduced final worm burdens. Metabolisable protein supply did not affect plasma IgG and IgE antibody against somatic L(3) antigen but the first three increments reduced plasma pepsinogen and plasma IgA antibody. The last increment did not further reduce plasma pepsinogen but increased plasma IgA. Metabolisable protein supply did not systematically affect abomasal mucosal mast cell, globule leukocyte and eosinophil counts. Our results support the view that the priority of scarce metabolisable protein allocation to milk production over immune functions may be gradual rather than absolute. The contrast between effects of metabolisable protein supply on faecal egg count and final worm burden points towards the possibility that if different effector responses regulate fecundity and worm expulsion, then they would differ in their sensitivity towards changes in the degree of nutrient scarcity.

Animals↗
PubMed2004

Redox status and immune function in type I diabetes families.

Because abnormalities in redox balance cluster in type I diabetes families and the intracellular thiol redox status seems to modulate immune function, we aimed to investigate the relationship between oxidative stress and immunological features. We measured oxidative markers, serum proinflammatory cytokines, soluble cytokine receptors and subsets of peripheral blood lymphocytes (by varying combinations of CD4, CD8, CD23 or low-affinity IgE receptor, and CD25 or IL-2 receptor) from 38 type I patients, 76 low-risk (i.e. without underlying islet autoimmunity) non-diabetic first-degree relatives of diabetic patients, and 95 healthy subjects. In type I diabetes families, protein and lipid oxidation was confirmed by the presence of reduced sulphhydryl groups, increased advanced oxidation protein products, and increased plasma and erythrocyte malondialdehyde. Relatives had decreased counts of monocytes, of cells co-expressing CD23 and CD25 and of CD25(+) cells in peripheral blood. Patients with TIDM had similar defects and, in addition, showed decreased counts of peripheral CD4(+)CD8(+) lymphocytes and increased serum levels of soluble receptors for interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-2. Abnormal indicators of oxidative stress were related in part to immune abnormalities. In the whole study group, we found a correlation (multiple R 0.5, P < 0.001) of CD23(+)CD25(+) cells with blood counts of monocytes, CD4(+)CD8(+) cells, CD25(+) cells, basal haemolysis and plasma levels of thiols. In type I diabetics, anti-GAD65 antibody levels were associated (multiple R 0.6, P = 0.01) positively with sIL-6R, negatively with duration of diabetes and CD23(+)CD25(+) counts; plasma creatinine correlated positively (multiple R 0.6, P < 0.001) with both sIL-2R and tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha concentration. Our study reports the first evidence that the oxidative stress observed in type I families is related to immunological hallmarks (decreased peripheral numbers of monocytes as well as cells bearing a CD4(+)CD8(+), CD23(+)CD25(+) and CD25(+) phenotype) from which the involvement of some immunoregulatory mechanisms could be suspected. It remains to be elucidated the course of events culminating in the loss of physiological immune homeostasis and disease pathology.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

Does genotype mask the relationship between psychological factors and immune function?

This paper examined the interaction between genetic influences of the polymorphic human leukocyte antigens (DRB1 and DQB1) and psychological distress on the development of cellular immunity to the novel antigen, keyhole limpet hemocyanin (KLH). Participants (n = 227) were immunized with KLH and the development of cutaneous delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) against KLH was examined 3 weeks later. Distress was assessed using the Profile of Mood States. DNA was typed for the serologically defined DRB1 and DQB1 antigens. There was a significant correlation between distress at immunization and the development of DTH skin test responses to KLH (n = 214, r = .24, p = .003). HLA DQ2 was weakly associated with a decreased likelihood of developing a cutaneous delayed-type hypersensitivity response against KLH (odds ratio [OR] = 1.6; confidence interval [CI] 0.9-2.7). HLA DQ5 was weakly associated with an increased likelihood of responding to the antigen (OR=0.6; CI=0.3-1.0). The correlation between distress and immune function in HLA DQ2 negative individuals was .34 (n = 136, p = .00) and in HLA DQ2 positive individuals it was .06 (n = 74, p =. 64). For HLA DQ5 negative individuals the correlation was .26 (n = 140, p = .00) and for HLA DQ5 positive individuals it was .22 (n = 70, p = .07). These results suggest that the distress/immune relationship in genetically susceptible or protected individuals may be underestimated in psychoneuroimmunology research.

Adjuvants, Immunologic↗
PubMed2003

Reproductive effort reduces long-term immune function in breeding tree swallows (Tachycineta bicolor).

We examined whether strategies of reproductive allocation may reduce long-term immunocompetence through the effects of manipulated effort on secondary or acquired immunity. We tested whether increased reproductive effort leads to reduced immune function and survival by manipulating brood size in tree swallows (Tachycineta bicolor) and exposing breeding females to a primary and secondary exposure of sheep red blood cells to elicit a humoral immune response. Females raising enlarged broods produced fewer secondary antibodies than did females raising control or reduced broods. Most importantly, individuals with high secondary responses were more likely to survive to breed 3 years after brood manipulations, suggesting that differences in disease susceptibility may be caused by trade-offs in reproductive allocation. We also found that individual quality, measured by clutch initiation date, mediated the effects of brood manipulations, with higher-quality birds showing a greater ability to deal with increases in effort.

Animals↗
PubMed1993

The integrin alpha 4 beta 1 and its counter receptor VCAM-1 in development and immune function.

The integrin alpha 4 beta 1 and its counter receptor vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) mediate well-described cell-cell interactions that are critical for immune function. However, these receptors also mediate cell-cell interactions that are important for skeletal muscle differentiation. We have found that contrasting transcriptional mechanisms control their patterns of expression in the immune system and in muscle. Recent studies indicate that alpha 4 beta 1 and VCAM-1 are also expressed in a number of developing tissues, implying that these receptors have a general role in facilitating cell-cell interactions during development.

Animals↗
PubMed1992

Effects of MPTP and vitamin E treatments on immune function in mice.

The effects of treatment with the neurotoxin 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) and vitamin E, an antioxidant, on immune functions were examined. Male C57/B1 mice were fed daily with natural vitamin E for 12 weeks, subsequently injected i.p. with MPTP or its vehicle, and sacrificed 1 week later. Control mice received the stripped corn oil vehicle daily, in place of vitamin E. Oral vitamin E feeding increased cerebral vitamin E content by 60% (P = 0.05). However, MPTP attenuated this rise in cerebral vitamin E content when measured 1 week after treatment with the neurotoxin (P = 0.05). MPTP also produced an 80-90% reduction in striatal dopamine content in both the stripped corn oil control group and the vitamin E-treated group (P = 0.0000). One week after MPTP injection, the numbers of peripheral blood lymphocytes and the percent of spleen T-cells, but not B-cells, were decreased in those groups receiving MPTP alone or MPTP plus vitamin E (P less than 0.05 and 0.02, respectively). The Con A-induced IL-2 production of spleen cells was decreased in all treated groups (P less than 0.005). There was no difference in the mitogenic stimulative response to PHA, Con A or LPS. However, the response to PWM was increased in both MPTP and MPTP plus vitamin E-treated groups (P less than 0.05 and 0.001, respectively). On the other hand, the one-way mixed lymphocyte response of the splenocytes from the MPTP-treated group was increased (P less than 0.01).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗
PubMed2000

Effects of hormone replacement therapy on selected indices of immune function in postmenopausal women.

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of long-term hormone replacement therapy (HRT) on selected indices of resting immune function in postmenopausal women. Postmenopausal women aged 54-66 were divided into two groups, those taking HRT (n = 17) and controls (n = 19). Blood samples were obtained and analyzed for mononuclear cell numbers, lymphocyte proliferation (LP) and natural cell-mediated cytotoxicity (NCMC). There were no significant differences between groups for mononuclear cell numbers. LP was significantly higher for HRT, while NCMC was significantly lower for HRT. HRT is currently being prescribed to postmenopausal women for prevention of a variety of medical conditions including osteoporosis, cardiovascular disease, stroke, and Alzheimer's disease yet HRT is often associated with altered immune parameters. In this study, women taking HRT had increased lymphocyte blastogenesis and decreased NCMC compared to controls.

Cytotoxicity, Immunologic↗
PubMed2004

[Experimental and clinical research on the effect of keyouling on condyloma acuminatum and adjustment of cellular immunity function].

OBJECTIVE: To discuss the mechanism of the traditional Chinese medicine Keyouling oral liquid in the treatment of condyloma acuminatum(CA) and the adjustment of cellular immunity function. METHODS: The IL-18 and TNF-alpha levels of peripheral serum and wart tissue of patterned rats and CA patients exposed to Keyouling were determined by means of double-antibody sandwich ELISA, and the NK cellular activity of the spleen of the patterned rats and that of the peripheral blood of the CA patients exposed to Keyouling were determined by means of 3H-TdR isotype release. RESULTS: The IL-18 and TNF-alpha levels, the NK cellular activity of the high-dosage group showed significant difference from those of the pattern group and low-dosage group in animal experiment(P < 0.05); the IL-18 and TNF-alpha levels of peripheral serum and wart tissues, and the NK cellular activity of the peripheral blood of the treatment group showed significant difference from those of the control group after treatment(P < 0.01, P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Keyouling oral liquid has significant positive adjusting effect, which can markedly ameliorate the cellular immunadeficiency of the patterned animals and reinforce the cellular immunocompetence of CA patients.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1976

Immune functions characteristic of SJL/J mice and their association with age and spontaneous reticulum cell sarcoma.

Spontaneous reticulum cell sarcoma in SJL/J mice has been proposed as an animal tumor model for Hodgkin's lymphoma. The relationship of tumor progression and immune function is not clear, however, and has prompted a systematic evaluation of SJL/J immune competence. It was found that the ability to generate cell-mediated immunity and antibody response to allografts was not impaired in 2- to 12-month-old mice, regardless of their tumor status. All animals were capable of generating in vivo cytotoxic effector T-cells and both IgG and IgM classes of cytotoxic antibody to a tumor allograft. In addition to being able to respond, older mice showed an unexpected hyperresponsiveness to alloantigens, which suggested that escape from feedback control might be a characteristic of SJL/J mice. Loss of immune regulation was further indicated by the failure to induce tolerance to human gamma-globulin in mice 4 months and older, while 3-week-old SJL/J mice could be rendered unresponsive. Coincident with this apparent loss of regulation, circulating antibodies to synthetic double-stranded RNA, polyinosinis - polycytidylic acid, were first detected in unimmunized mice at 4 months of age, and titers remained elevated regardless of tumor status. It is suggested that tumor development as well as autoimmunity may result from an effective amplification of the immune response.

Age Factors↗
PubMed1996

[Enhancement of gut immune function by early enteral feeding enriched with L-glutamine in severe burned miniswines].

In order to investigate the effect of L-glutamine on gut immune function, 14 miniswines with 30% TBSA full thickness burns were randomly and equally divided into NON-GLN group and GLN group. GLN group animals were supplied with L-glutamine 0.64 g/day, and NON-GLN group received equal amount of non-glutamine amino acids. The S-IgA concentration of jejunal and IgA concentration of arterial blood were determined on PBD (post burn day) 1, 4, 7, 10. S-IgA concentration of ileal contents was measured on PBD10. The results showed that the concentrations of S-IgA in the jejunal and ileal contents as well as IgA in arterial blood decreased significantly after burns in NON-GLN group. L-glutamine supplement increased the excretion of S-IgA of intestinal mucosa in the GLN group. This result suggests that oral feeding of L-glutamine improves the intestinal S-IgA excretion after burns efficiently, and it plays an important role in the prevention of endotoxin and bacterial translocation after burns.

Animals↗
PubMed1990

Effects of recombinant murine tumor necrosis factor-alpha on immune function.

TNF-alpha is a macrophage-derived cytokine with diverse biologic activities, including potent immunomodulatory effects. In vitro studies have implied that TNF-alpha has predominantly proinflammatory and immunostimulatory effects, but paradoxically in vivo studies have demonstrated that administration of TNF-alpha suppresses murine lupus. To assess the effects of TNF-alpha on immune function in normal mice, we treated C57BL/6 mice with recombinant murine TNF-alpha (10 micrograms i.p.) or PBS on alternate days for up to 8 wk. Administration of TNF-alpha decreased the percentage of splenic T and B cells and increased the percentage of splenic macrophages without significantly altering the total number of mononuclear cells. Administration of TNF-alpha also caused progressive inhibition of splenic lymphocyte function, out of proportion to the quantitative reduction in B and T cells. After 8 wk of therapy, the proliferative responses of splenic lymphocytes to Con A, PHA, and LPS were reduced by 100, 90, and 60%, respectively, in treated mice compared with control mice. The reduction in T cell proliferation was due primarily to alteration of accessory cell function rather than direct inhibition of T cell function. Treatment with TNF-alpha markedly inhibited T cell cytotoxicity induced by immunization with allogenic target cells, and it virtually ablated NK cell activity. Inhibition of these in vitro tests of lymphocyte function correlated with inhibition of delayed type hypersensitivity in vivo. In contrast, treatment with TNF-alpha did not impair humoral immunity. These findings imply that TNF-alpha may affect cell-mediated immunity more profoundly than humoral immunity. This observation may be relevant to the mechanism whereby TNF-alpha suppresses murine lupus.

Animals↗
PubMed2001

HIV adolescents show improved immune function following massage therapy.

HIV+adolescents (M CD4=466 mm3) recruited from a large urban university hospital's outpatient clinic were randomly assigned to receive massage therapy (n=12) or progressive muscle relaxation (n=12) two-times per week for 12 weeks. To assess treatment effects, participants were assessed for depression, anxiety and immune changes before and after treatment the 12 weeks treatment period. Adolescents who received massage therapy versus those who experienced relaxation therapy reported feeling less anxious and they were less depressed, and showed enhanced immune function by the end of the 12 week study. Immune changes included increased Natural Killer cell number (CD56) and CD56+CD3-. In addition, the HIV disease progression markers CD4/CD8 ratio and CD4 number showed an increase for the massage therapy group only.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2004

Pyridostigmine bromide (PYR) alters immune function in B6C3F1 mice.

Pyridostigmine bromide (PYR) is an anticholinesterase drug indicated for the treatment of myasthenia gravis and neuromuscular blockade reversal. It acts as a reversible cholinesterase inhibitor and was used as a pretreatment for soldiers during Operation Desert Storm to protect against possible nerve gas attacks. Since that time, PYR has been implicated as a possible causative agent contributing to Gulf War Illness. PYR's mechanism of action has been well-delineated with regards to its effects on the nervous system, yet little is known regarding potential effects on immunological function. To evaluate the effects of PYR on immunological function, adult female B6C3F1 mice were gavaged daily for 14 days with PYR (0, 1, 5, 10, or 20 mg/kg/day). Immune parameters assessed were lymphoproliferation, natural killer cell activity, the SRBC-specific antibody plaque-forming cell (PFC) response, thymus and spleen weight and cellularity, and thymic and splenic CD4/CD8 lymphocyte subpopulations. Exposure to PYR did not alter splenic and thymus weight or splenic cellularity. However, 20 mg PYR/kg/day decreased thymic cellularity with decreases in both CD4+/CD8+ (20 mg/kg/day) and CD4-/CD8- (10 and 20 mg/kg/day) cell types. Functional immune assays indicated that lymphocyte proliferative responses and natural killer cell activity were normal; whereas exposure to PYR significantly decreased primary IgM antibody responses to a T-cell dependent antigen at the 1, 5, 10 and 20 mg/kg treatment levels for 14 days. This is the first study to examine the immunotoxicological effects of PYR and demonstrate that this compound selectively suppresses humoral antibody responses.

Administration, Oral↗
PubMed1979

Effect of age on immune function in terms of chemically induced cancers.

Neonatal, fetal, and very old animals are particularly sensitive to chemical carcinogenesis. Reasons for this increased sensitivity could be due to increased susceptibility of "target" organs or cells, peculiar hormonal levels at these age groups, relatively deficient immune functions, or combinations of these and/or other factors. During the late fetal and first three weeks of neonatal life, the immune system is rapidly maturing, is relatively incompetent, and its diverse components are developing at different rates. For example, thymus-dependent (T) alloreactive cells capable of proliferating in mixed lymphocyte reactions (T helper cells) develop by 7 days of age, but precursors of T killer cells are not competent until approximately 14 days of age. Bursa equivalent-dependent (B) cells capable of generating antibody responses are present in fetal liver but are extremely sensitive to tolerance induction until 10-14 days of age when IgD cell surface receptors are detectable. Marrow-dependent (M) cells responsible for regulation of suppressor cells and for natural cytotoxicity to transformed tumor cells do not mature until 3 weeks of age. In very old animals, the thymus is atrophic and cell-mediated immunity is moderately suppressed. Natural cytotoxicity against tumor cells is less than normal but antibody formation (B cell function) is adequate. Gonadotrophic hormones of the pituitary or placenta are high during pregnancy, the early neonatal period, after the menopause, and in a large fraction of men over 60 years of age. These and other hormones are immunosuppressive and could theoretically facilitate carcinogenesis. The particular immune cell type, if any, responsible for resistance to chemically induced tumors has not been determined. One can only state that susceptibility to chemical carcinogenesis is associated with a relative dysfunction of the immune system and that age is an important factor.

Aging↗