title: Oral administration of a streptococcal agent OK-432 activates alveolar macrophages in mice.
abstract: The effect of orally administered OK-432, a streptococcal preparation, on the functions of alveolar macrophages in mice was examined. The oral administration of OK-432 (1, 2 or 4 KE, four times every 3 days) augmented phagocytic activity, lysosomal enzyme activity and interleukin 1 (IL-1) production of murine alveolar macrophages recovered 5 days after the final administration while it did not augment H2O2 production. The number of alveolar macrophages was not affected by the same treatment. These results suggested that oral administration of OK-432 activates alveolar macrophages qualitatively to protect the lung from the metastasis of cancer cells and infectious diseases by pathogenic micro-organisms.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Immunopharmacology of Microbial Products, Tokyo College of Pharmacy, Japan.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kinoshita
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Suzuki
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Sakurai
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Yadomae
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D000818:Animals; D006861:Hydrogen Peroxide / Q000378:metabolism; D007375:Interleukin-1 / Q000096:biosynthesis; D008262:Macrophage Activation / Q000187:drug effects*; D016676:Macrophages, Alveolar / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008815:Mice, Inbred Strains; D010587:Phagocytosis / Q000187:drug effects; D010844:Picibanil / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D007375:Interleukin-1; D010844:Picibanil; D006861:Hydrogen Peroxide