scholarly journals Influence of galacto-oligosaccharide mixture (B-GOS) on gut microbiota, immune parameters and metabonomics in elderly persons

2015 ◽  
Vol 114 (4) ◽  
pp. 586-595 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jelena Vulevic ◽  
Aleksandra Juric ◽  
Gemma E. Walton ◽  
Sandrine P. Claus ◽  
George Tzortzis ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gut Microbiota ◽  
Immune Function ◽  
Natural Killer Cell Activity ◽  
Killer Cell ◽  
Cell Activity ◽  
Elderly Persons ◽  
Elderly Age ◽  
Double Blind ◽  
Bacterial Populations ◽  
Age Related

It is recognised that ageing induces various changes to the human colonic microbiota. Most relevant is a reduction in bifidobacteria, which is a health-positive genus. Prebiotics, such as galacto-oligosaccharides (GOS), are dietary ingredients that selectively fortify beneficial gut microbial groups. Therefore, they have the potential to reverse the age-related decline in bifidobacteria and modulate associated health parameters. We assessed the effect of GOS mixture (Bimuno (B-GOS)) on gut microbiota, markers of immune function and metabolites in forty elderly (age 65–80 years) volunteers in a randomised, double-blind, placebo (maltodextrin)-controlled, cross-over study. The intervention periods consisted of 10 weeks with daily doses of 5·5 g/d with a 4-week washout period in between. Blood and faecal samples were collected for the analyses of faecal bacterial populations and immune and metabolic biomarkers. B-GOS consumption led to significant increases in bacteroides and bifidobacteria, the latter correlating with increased lactic acid in faecal waters. Higher IL-10, IL-8, natural killer cell activity and C-reactive protein and lower IL-1β were also observed. Administration of B-GOS to elderly volunteers may be useful in positively affecting the microbiota and some markers of immune function associated with ageing.

N-acetylcysteine does not affect the lymphocyte proliferation and natural killer cell activity responses to exercise

1998 ◽  
Vol 275 (4) ◽  
pp. R1227-R1231
Author(s):  
H. B. Nielsen ◽  
N. H. Secher ◽  
M. Kappel ◽  
B. K. Pedersen
Keyword(s):  
Natural Killer ◽  
Lymphocyte Proliferation ◽  
Nk Cell ◽  
Natural Killer Cell Activity ◽  
Killer Cell ◽  
Cell Activity ◽  
Nk Cell Activity ◽  
Double Blind ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Ergometer Rowing

This study evaluated whether N-acetylcysteine (NAC) attenuates the reduced lymphocyte proliferation and natural killer (NK) cell activity responses to exercise in humans. Fourteen oarsmen were double-blind randomized to either NAC (6 g daily for 3 days) or placebo groups. During 6-min “all-out” ergometer rowing, the concentration of lymphocytes in the peripheral blood increased, with no significant difference between NAC and placebo as reflected in lymphocyte subsets: CD4+, CD8+, CD16+, and CD19+ cells. The phytohemagglutinin-stimulated lymphocyte proliferation decreased from 9,112 ± 2,865 to 5,851 ± 1,588 cpm ( P < 0.05), but it was not affected by NAC. During exercise, the NK cell activity was elevated from 17 ± 3 to 38 ± 4% and it decreased to 7 ± 1% below the resting value 2 h into recovery. Yet, when evaluated as lytic units per CD16+ cell, the NK cell activity decreased during and after exercise without a significant effect of NAC. We conclude that NAC does not attenuate the reduction in lymphocyte proliferation and NK cell activity associated with intense exercise.

scholarly journals Daily intake of Lactobacillus casei Shirota increases natural killer cell activity in smokers

2011 ◽  
Vol 108 (2) ◽  
pp. 308-314 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marcella Reale ◽  
Paolo Boscolo ◽  
Veronica Bellante ◽  
Chiara Tarantelli ◽  
Marta Di Nicola ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cytotoxic Activity ◽  
Natural Killer ◽  
Lactobacillus Casei ◽  
Mononuclear Cells ◽  
Natural Killer Cell Activity ◽  
Killer Cell ◽  
Daily Intake ◽  
Cell Activity ◽  
Nk Activity ◽  
Double Blind

Dietary probiotics supplementation exerts beneficial health effects. Since cigarette smoking reduces natural killer (NK) activity, we evaluated the effect of Lactobacillus casei Shirota (LcS) intake on NK cytotoxic activity in male smokers. The double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomised study was conducted on seventy-two healthy Italian blue-collar male smokers randomly divided for daily intake of LcS powder or placebo. Before and after 3 weeks of intake, peripheral blood mononuclear cells were isolated and NK activity and CD16+ cells' number were assessed. Daily LcS intake for 3 weeks significantly increased NK activity (P < 0·001). The increase in NK activity was paralleled by an increase in CD16+ cells (P < 0·001). Before intake, NK cytotoxic activity inversely correlated with the number of cigarettes smoked (R − 0·064). LcS intake prevented the smoke-dependent expected NK activity reduction. The analysis of the distribution of changes in smoke-adjusted NK activity demonstrated that the positive variations were significantly associated with LcS intake, while the negative variations were associated with placebo intake (median value of distributions of differences, 20·98 lytic unit (LU)/107 cells for LcS v. − 4·38 LU/107 cells for placebo, P = 0·039). In conclusion, 3 weeks of daily LcS intake in Italian male smokers was associated with a higher increase in cytotoxic activity and CD16+ cells' number in comparison to the placebo intake group.

Immunotoxicological assessment of cyclosporin A by conventional pathological techniques and immune function testing in the rat

1997 ◽  
Vol 16 (2) ◽  
pp. 79-88 ◽  
Author(s):  
RWR Crevel ◽  
P. Buckley ◽  
JA Robinson ◽  
IJ Sanders
Keyword(s):  
Cyclosporin A ◽  
Immune Function ◽  
Histopathological Examination ◽  
Natural Killer Cell Activity ◽  
Killer Cell ◽  
Cell Activity ◽  
Male Rats ◽  
Lymphoid Tissues ◽  
Lymphoproliferative Response ◽  
Function Tests

1 Groups of male rats were given different doses of cyclosporin A, ranging from the maximum tolerated dose (20 mg/kg/day) downwards, 7 days a week for 28 days using a protocol derived from OECD test guide line 407. 2 At the end of the test, one set of animals underwent a detailed necropsy and histopathological examination of lymphoid tissues. Immune function was assessed using the lymphoproliferative response and natural killer cell activity of their spleen cells. Another set of animals was immunised with sheep erythrocytes on day 25 and used to evaluate the ability to produce specific anti-sheep red blood cell antibody. 3 Cyclosporin A produced detectable effects on the immune system at all doses and at doses lower than other toxic effects. Both histopathological techniques and one of the immune function tests were able to identify changes at the lowest dose, 1.25 mg/kg/day. 4 The results of this investigation suggest that conven tional histopathological techniques, if applied to a range of lymphoid organs, are sufficient to identify potential immunotoxicants without recourse to im mune function tests.

Indomethacin inhibits circulating PGE2 and reverses postexercise suppression of natural killer cell activity

1999 ◽  
Vol 276 (5) ◽  
pp. R1496-R1505
Author(s):  
Shawn G. Rhind ◽  
Greg A. Gannon ◽  
Masatoshi Suzui ◽  
Roy J. Shephard ◽  
Pang N. Shek
Keyword(s):  
Nk Cells ◽  
Natural Killer ◽  
Nk Cell ◽  
Natural Killer Cell Activity ◽  
Killer Cell ◽  
Cell Activity ◽  
Strenuous Exercise ◽  
Double Blind ◽  
Cell Counts ◽  
Ergometer Exercise

Natural killer (NK) cells are important in combating viral infections and cancer. NK cytolytic activity (NKCA) is often depressed during recovery from strenuous exercise. Lymphocyte subset redistribution and/or inhibition of NK cells via soluble mediators, such as prostaglandin (PG) E2 and cortisol, are suggested as mechanisms. Ten untrained (peak O2 consumption = 44.0 ± 3.5 ml ⋅ kg−1 ⋅ min−1) men completed at 2-wk intervals a resting control session and three randomized double-blind exercise trials after the oral administration of a placebo, the PG inhibitor indomethacin (75 mg/day for 5 days), or naltrexone (reported elsewhere). Circulating CD3−CD16+/56+NK cell counts, PGE2, cortisol, and NKCA were measured before, at 0.5-h intervals during, and at 2 and 24 h after a 2-h bout of cycle ergometer exercise (65% peak O2 consumption). During placebo and indomethacin conditions, exercise induced significant ( P < 0.0001) elevations of NKCA (>100%) and circulating NK cell counts (>350%) compared with corresponding control values. With placebo treatment, total NKCA was suppressed (28%; P < 0.05) 2 h after exercise, and a postexercise elevation (36%; P = 0.02) of circulating PGE2 was negatively correlated ( r = 0.475, P = 0.03) with K-562 tumor cell lysis. NK counts were unchanged in the postexercise period, but at this stage CD14+ monocyte numbers were elevated ( P < 0.0001). Indomethacin treatment eliminated the postexercise increase in PGE2 concentration and completely reversed the suppression of total and per CD16+56+NKCA 2 h after exercise. These data support the hypothesis that the postexercise reduction in NKCA reflects changes in circulating PGE2 rather than a differential lymphocyte redistribution.

scholarly journals Clinical trial to analyze the effects of oral intake of Phellinus linteus (sanghuang) extract on immune function: a study protocol for a randomized, double-blind controlled trial

Trials ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yong Ho Ku ◽  
Hyun Lee ◽  
Hwa Yeon Ryu ◽  
Jae Hui Kang
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Trial ◽  
Immune Function ◽  
Natural Killer Cell Activity ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Killer Cell ◽  
Cell Activity ◽  
Laboratory Evaluation ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Phellinus Linteus ◽  
Main Trial

Abstract Background As the population of Korea ages, interest in healthcare has increased. In particular, there is an increasing demand for immune-function improvement to prevent infectious diseases. Phellinus linteus (PL) has previously been shown to exert immune-enhancing and anticancer effects. We aim to evaluate whether PL mycelium extract, cultured from the PL KCTC0399BP strain, can increase immune function, as measured using blood-test indicators. This clinical trial protocol is designed as the main trial and is based on the results of a pilot study. Methods This clinical trial is a randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial. Ninety-eight participants are enrolled and randomly divided into two groups: the experimental group (PL 1000 mg) and the control group (placebo). Participants are administered with experimental food or placebo for eight weeks. Blood tests are performed before trial initiation and 8 weeks later, at trial completion. Laboratory evaluation items are as follows: natural killer cell activity, tumor necrosis factor-α, interferon-γ, interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-2, IL-6, IL-12, immunoglobulin (Ig)G1, IgG2, and IgM. We will mainly use the full analysis dataset to statistically analyze the effectiveness of the treatment. Discussion This study evaluates the effects of PL extract on immune function and will contribute to knowledge on the value of PL as an immune-function–boosting functional food. Trial registration Clinical Research Information Service (CRIS) of Korea CRIS-KCT0005460. Registered on 12 October 2020

scholarly journals Enhancement of Immune Activities of Mixtures with Sasa quelpaertensis Nakai and Ficus erecta var. sieboldii

Foods ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (7) ◽  
pp. 868
Author(s):  
Hee-Yeon Kwon ◽  
Sun-Il Choi ◽  
Xionggao Han ◽  
Xiao Men ◽  
Gill-Woong Jang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Natural Killer Cell ◽  
Immune Function ◽  
Natural Killer ◽  
Natural Killer Cell Activity ◽  
Killer Cell ◽  
Cell Activity ◽  
Cytokine Expression ◽  
Natural Killer Cell Cytotoxicity ◽  
Raw264.7 Macrophages ◽  
Immune Tissues

The objective of the present study was to develop a concoction of natural products that could dramatically improve immune function with minimal possible side effects. Sasa quelpaertensis Nakai and Ficus erecta var. sieboldii are plants that are native to Jeju Island, Korea and are known to be rich in physiologically active substances. We prepared a mixture of different proportions and extraction conditions using two natural plants and determined their optimum mixing ratio and extraction method by assessing immune function-related biomarkers in RAW264.7 macrophages. Optimal extract (HR02/04(8:2)-W) was selected from in vitro experiments and its immunity-enhancing efficacy was evaluated in mice. After oral administration of extract to BALB/c mice for 2 weeks, nitric oxide production in the peritoneal exudate cells, natural killer cell cytotoxicity, cytokine expression in splenocytes, and total cell number of immune tissues and phenotype analysis were evaluated. Our results demonstrated that HR02/04(8:2)-W significantly enhanced the immune system by increasing natural killer cell activity, cytokine expression, and total number of cells in immune tissues. In conclusion, our study validates the role of HR02/04(8:2)-W in enhancing immunity and its potential development as a functional food.

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