Determination of phagocytic functions of macrophages, vascular density and NPY-nerve within autotransplanted splenic tissue in adult rats

Objective: To estimate directly phagocytic functions of the macrophages because of the importance in innate immunity, determine blood vessel density and re-innervation density which are basis of function. Methods: Eighty adult Wistar rats were randonjy divided into experimental and control groups.The formers underwent splenotomy and a half splenie slice was transplanted into greater omentum. The latter only moved. After 6 months, examination was made as follows: ① After injection of 0.4% carbon particles by vein, spleme tissues were taken out at different times for estimating phagocytosis by light microscope. ② When splenic tissues had been intubated into left ventricle under total anesthesia, animals were perfused by formalin and India ink mixture suspension. Splenic tissues were taken out for making sections for measurement of area density of blood vessels.③ Immunohistochemical procedure was used for detecting neuropeptide Y(NPY). Results: Phagocytie functions had no difference between two groups, hut the area density of blood vessels and NPY-positive fibers re-dued (P<0.01) in experimental group. Conclusion:Autotransplanted splenic tissues show good innate immunity though regeneration of blood vessels and nerves do not reach normal level.

Immunological Effect of PM_(2.5) on Cytokine Production in Female Wistar Rats

Objective To investigate the immunological effect of PM2.5 on cytokine production in female Wistar rats. Methods Female Wistar rats were given 0.3 mg, 0.75 mg, 2 mg, 5 mg of PM2.5 per 0.5 mL saline, respectively. Saline was used as the negative control. TNF-α and IL-6 levels in the branchoalveolar lavage were measured by ELISA, and mRNA expression levels in lung tissue were detected by RT-PCR. Alveolar macrophages were collected for testing phogacytic function. Results Exposure to PM2.5 stimulated TNF-α production in a dose-dependent manner （P〈0.05）, However, no statistically significant difference was found. No time-dependent change in TNF-α and IL-6 production was found. TNF-α and IL-6 mRNA expressions were induced by PM2.5-exposure. The phagocytic rate （PR） was significantly decreased by PM2.5 treatment. Conclusion PM2.5 exposure increases inflammation response of the lung in a dose-dependent manner. Moreover, tissue injury induced by PM2.5 may be related to altered production of cytokines. PM2.5 may impair the phagocytic activity of alveolar macrophages.

Impairment of innate immune responses in cirrhotic patients and treatment by branched-chain amino acids

It has been reported that host defense responses, such as phagocytic function of neutrophils and natural killer (NK) cell activity of lymphocytes, are impaired in cirrhotic patients. This review will concentrate on the impairment of innate immune responses in decompensated cirrhotic patients and the effect of the treatment by branched-chain amino acids (BCAA) on innate immune responses. We already reported that phagocytic function of neutrophils was significantly improved by 3-mo BCAA supplementation. In addition, the changes of NK activity were also significant at 3 mo of supplementation compared with before supplementation. Also, Fisher&#x02019;s ratios were reported to be significantly increased at 3 mo of BCAA supplementation compared with those before oral supplementation. Therefore, administration of BCAA could reduce the risk of bacterial and viral infection in patients with decompensated cirrhosis by restoring impaired innate immune responses of the host. In addition, it was also revealed that BCAA oral supplementation could reduce the risk of development of hepatocellular carcinoma in cirrhotic patients. The mechanisms of the effects will also be discussed in this review article.

Immunological Effects of Total Flavones from Leaves of Choerospondias axillaris on Mice

ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of total flavones from the leaves of Choerospondias axillaris (TFLCA) on the immune function of normal mice and to provide the experimental basis for the reasonable application of C. axillaris.MethodsThe carbon clearance method, cutaneous delayed hypersensitivity reaction method, serum hemolysin method, and index of immune organs were used to study the effect of TFLCA on the immune function of mice.ResultsTFLCA could enhance the phagocytic function of mononuclear macrophage and the cutaneous delayed hypersensitivity reaction of mice, and increase the content of hemolysin antibody and the thymus index in mice.ConclusionTFLCA could improve the celiac macrophage activity and specific immunity of mice, and TFLCA, consisting with the total flavones of Choerospondiatis Fructus (TFCF), has the effect on the immune function of mice. So both TFLCA and TFCF have the regulatory effects on the immune function of mice.