scholarly journals Potential of dietary supplementation with berries to enhance immunity in humans

2021 ◽  
Vol 16 ◽  
Author(s):  
Athena Dong ◽  
Jianhua Yu ◽  
Xiao Chen ◽  
Li-Shu Wang

One of the most prominent concerns that has arisen from global events such as the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is how the immune system might be enhanced to provide greater protection against malignant conditions and diseases. Dietary modification is one of the major fields of research, with special focus on how diet interacts with immunity through impacts on factors such as the gut microbiome, inflammation, and nutritional imbalance. This review focuses on current research regarding the use of bioactives derived from berries as a dietary supplement to improve immunity, with discussions of relevant clinical studies. Major bioactive, metabolic compounds of focus- flavonoids, anthocyanins, alkaloids, dietary fiber, and stilbenes- have demonstrated biochemical merits in modulating immunity. In addition, blueberries, goji berries, black raspberries, and cranberries, which have been extensively researched and recently gained interest for their effects on the immune system in animal and cell models, may also hold promise in providing similar benefits to humans, though the precise immunological effects have yet to be clearly determined. Overall, the field of berry research as it relates to diet and immunity shows potential, but more clinical studies will be necessary for a full understanding of the mechanisms of berry immunomodulation.

1997 ◽  
Vol 15 (3) ◽  
pp. 204-211 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jonas C. S. Bergh ◽  
Thomas H. Tötterman ◽  
Birgitta C. Termander ◽  
Kerstin A.-M. P. Strandgarden ◽  
Per Olov G. Gunnarsson ◽  
...  

2013 ◽  
Vol 110 (7) ◽  
pp. 1243-1252 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marie C. Lewis ◽  
Dilip V. Patel ◽  
Jenni Fowler ◽  
Swantje Duncker ◽  
Adrian W. Zuercher ◽  
...  

Weaning is associated with a major shift in the microbial community of the intestine, and this instability may make it more acquiescent than the adult microbiota to long-term changes. Modulation achieved through dietary interventions may have potentially beneficial effects on the developing immune system, which is driven primarily by the microbiota. The specific aim of the present study was to determine whether immune development could be modified by dietary supplementation with the human probiotic Bifidobacterium lactis NCC2818 in a tractable model of weaning in infants. Piglets were reared by their mothers before being weaned onto a solid diet supplemented with B. lactis NCC2818, while sibling controls did not receive supplementation. Probiotic supplementation resulted in a reduction in IgA (P< 0·0005) and IgM (P< 0·009) production by mucosal tissues but had no effect on IgG production (P>0·05). Probiotic-supplemented pigs had more mast cells than unsupplemented littermates (P< 0·0001), although numbers in both groups were low. In addition, the supplemented piglets made stronger serum IgG responses to fed and injected antigens (P< 0·05). The present findings are consistent with B. lactis NCC2818 reducing intestinal permeability induced by weaning, and suggest that the piglet is a valuable intermediate between rodent models and human infants. The results also strongly suggest that measures of the effect of probiotic supplementation on the immune system need to be interpreted carefully as proxy measures of health benefit. However, they are useful in developing an understanding of the mechanism of action of probiotic strains, an important factor in predicting favourable health outcomes of nutritional intervention.


2004 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 563-568 ◽  
Author(s):  
Roma Kalra ◽  
Shashi P. Singh ◽  
Juan C. Pena-Philippides ◽  
Raymond J. Langley ◽  
Seddigheh Razani-Boroujerdi ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT To study the immunological effects of nicotine, there are several rodent models for chronic nicotine administration. These models include subcutaneously implanted miniosmotic pumps, nicotine-spiked drinking water, and self-administration via jugular cannulae. Administration of nicotine via these routes affects the immune system. Smokers frequently use nicotine patches to quit smoking, and the immunological effects of nicotine patches are largely unknown. To determine whether the nicotine patch affects the immune system, nicotine patches were affixed daily onto the backs of Lewis rats for 3 to 4 weeks. The patches efficiently raised the levels of nicotine and cotinine in serum and strongly inhibited the antibody-forming cell response of spleen cells to sheep red blood cells. The nicotine patch also suppressed the concanavalin A-induced T-cell proliferation and mobilization of intracellular Ca2+ by spleen cells, as well as the fever response of animals to subcutaneous administration of turpentine. Moreover, immunosuppression was associated with chronic activation of protein tyrosine kinase and phospholipase C-γ1 activities. Thus, in this animal model of nicotine administration, the nicotine patch efficiently raises the levels of nicotine and cotinine in serum and impairs both the immune and inflammatory responses.


2018 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 19-24
Author(s):  
M. O. Katrichenko ◽  
I. I. Lisnyi

In the reviewed article, we consider epidemiological and laboratory data that confirm the protective effects of biologically active nutrients in our diet for various diseases. Along with various factors such as alcohol, smoking, nutrition plays a vital role in influencing the patient’s immune response by transforming cells or by preventing, or acceleration of malignancy. Many data suggest that immunoactive nutrients control inflammatory and precancerous reactions in immune cells. Immunoprophylaxis is usually associated with modulation of the immune response when inflamed, thereby improving clinical outcomes. Different nutrients, including glutamine, arginine, vitamins, minerals and long-chain fatty acids, are important components of immunological nutrition. Clinical studies associated with these substances show different results with minimal effect. However, some studies have shown that these nutrients may have immunomodulatory effects that can reduce the risk of developing cancer. Pre-clinical studies claim that most of these nutrients have a positive effect in the complex treatment of cancer patients. In this article, we will consider the effect of the above nutrients on the immune system in patients of oncologic profile. Recent evidences suggest that immunological nutrition plays an important role in the development of cancer and its progression. Data from animal studies have clearly shown that the use of immunomodulatory nutrients isolated from food, by launching a cascade of immunological reactions, can detect and eliminate the tumor. Although the technology has evolved to such an extent that we can study each individual cytokine or function of the immune cell, it is difficult to demonstrate the powerful role of the immune system in preventing or treating cancer due to the complexity of the tumor cell or heterogeneity in different patients' populations. However, the study sheds light on interactions in immune responses and cancer development, prevention and therapeutic strategies that involve modulation through biologically active agents.


Blood ◽  
2008 ◽  
Vol 112 (2) ◽  
pp. 240-249 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sébastien Lacroix-Desmazes ◽  
Ana-Maria Navarrete ◽  
Sébastien André ◽  
Jagadeesh Bayry ◽  
Srinivas V. Kaveri ◽  
...  

Abstract Procoagulant factor VIII (FVIII) is either produced endogenously under physiologic conditions, or administered exogenously as a therapeutic hemostatic drug in patients with hemophilia A. In the circulation, FVIII interacts with a multitude of glycoproteins, and may be used for coagulation at the sites of bleeding, eliminated by scavenger cells, or processed by the immune system, either as a self-constituent or as a foreign antigen. The fate of FVIII is dictated by the immune status of the individual, the location of FVIII in the body at a given time point, and the inflammatory microenvironment. It also depends on the local concentration of FVIII and of each interacting partner, and on the affinity of the respective interactions. FVIII, by virtue of its promiscuity, thus constitutes the core of a dynamic network that links the coagulation cascade, cells of the immune system, and, presumably, the inflammatory compartment. We describe the different interactions that FVIII is prone to establish during its life cycle, with a special focus on players of the innate and adaptive immune response. Lessons can be learned from understanding the dynamics of FVIII interactions—lessons that should pave the way to the conception of long-lasting hemostatic drugs devoid of iatrogenic immunogenicity.


2019 ◽  
Vol 91 ◽  
pp. 396-397
Author(s):  
Matthieu Paiola ◽  
Catarina Moreira ◽  
Aurélie Duflot ◽  
Jérome Couteau ◽  
Géraldine Maillet ◽  
...  

Nutrients ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (10) ◽  
pp. 3163
Author(s):  
Liisa Lehtoranta ◽  
Sinikka Latvala ◽  
Markus J. Lehtinen

Viral respiratory tract infection (RTI) is the most frequent cause of infectious illnesses including the common cold. Pharmacological solutions for treating or preventing viral RTIs are so far limited and thus several self-care products are available in the market. Some dietary supplements such as probiotics have been shown to modulate immune system function and their role in reducing the risk and the course of RTIs has been investigated extensively within the past decade. However, the mechanism of action and the efficacy of probiotics against viral RTIs remains unclear. We searched PubMed, Google Scholar, and Web of Knowledge for pre-clinical and clinical studies investigating the effect of probiotics on respiratory virus infections, immune response, and the course of upper and lower respiratory tract illness. The literature summarized in this narrative review points out that specific probiotic strains seem effective in pre-clinical models, through stimulating the immune system and inhibiting viral replication. Clinical studies indicate variable efficacy on upper respiratory illnesses and lack proof of diagnosed viral infections. However, meta-analyses of clinical studies indicate that probiotics could be beneficial in upper respiratory illnesses without specific etiology. Further studies aiming at discovering the mechanisms of action of probiotics and clinical efficacy are warranted.


2020 ◽  
Vol 34 (10) ◽  
pp. 1086-1097
Author(s):  
Juliette Giacobbe ◽  
Carmine M Pariante ◽  
Alessandra Borsini

Background: Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is a powerful and fast-acting anti-depressant strategy, often used in treatment-resistant patients. In turn, patients with treatment-resistant depression often present an increased inflammatory response. The impact of ECT on several pathophysiological mechanisms of depression has been investigated, with a focus which has largely been on cellular and synaptic plasticity. Although changes in the immune system are known to influence neurogenesis, these processes have principally been explored independently from each other in the context of ECT. Objective: The aim of this review was to compare the time-dependent consequences of acute and chronic ECT on concomitant innate immune system and neurogenesis-related outcomes measured in the central nervous system in pre-clinical studies. Results: During the few hours following acute electroconvulsive shock (ECS), the expression of the astrocytic reactivity marker glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and inflammatory genes, such as cyclooxygenase-2 (COX2), were significantly increased together with the neurogenic brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and cell proliferation. Similarly, chronic ECS caused an initial upregulation of the same astrocytic marker, immune genes, and neurogenic factors. Interestingly, over time, inflammation appeared to be dampened, while glial activation and neurogenesis were maintained, after either acute or chronic ECS. Conclusion: Regardless of treatment duration ECS would seemingly trigger a rapid increase in inflammatory molecules, dampened over time, as well as a long-lasting activation of astrocytes and production of growth and neurotrophic factors, leading to cell proliferation. This suggests that both innate immune system response and neurogenesis might contribute to the efficacy of ECT.


Nutrients ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
pp. 622 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christopher Weyh ◽  
Karsten Krüger ◽  
Barbara Strasser

With increasing age, the immune system undergoes a remodeling process, termed immunosenescence, which is accompanied by considerable shifts in leukocyte subpopulations and a decline in various immune cell functions. Clinically, immunosenescence is characterized by increased susceptibility to infections, a more frequent reactivation of latent viruses, decreased vaccine efficacy, and an increased prevalence of autoimmunity and cancer. Physiologically, the immune system has some adaptive strategies to cope with aging, while in some settings, maladaptive responses aggravate the speed of aging and morbidity. While a lack of physical activity, decreased muscle mass, and poor nutritional status facilitate immunosenescence and inflammaging, lifestyle factors such as exercise and dietary habits affect immune aging positively. This review will discuss the relevance and mechanisms of immunoprotection through physical activity and specific exercise interventions. In the second part, we will focus on the effect of dietary interventions through the supplementation of the essential amino acid tryptophan, n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, and probiotics (with a special focus on the kynurenine pathway).


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