title: beta-(1-->3, 1-->4) oat glucan enhances resistance to Eimeria vermiformis infection in immunosuppressed mice.
abstract: The effect of intragastrically or parenterally administered beta-glucan, extracted from oats, on the enhancement of disease resistance to Eimeria vermiformis was studied in C57BL/6 mice. Groups of mice were immunosuppressed with dexamethasone (DXM), infected with oocysts of E. vermiformis and treated with oat beta-glucan by the intragastric (i.g.) or subcutaneous (s.c.) routes. Faecal oocyst shedding was reduced in the beta-glucan-treated groups compared to the non-treated group. Immunosuppressed mice which received no beta-glucan treatment showed more severe clinical signs of the disease and a 50% mortality, while minimal clinical signs and no mortality were recorded in the beta-glucan-treated groups. Total IgG, IgG1, IgG2a, IgM and IgA immunoglobulins in the serum of beta-glucan-treated groups were overall higher than those in the non-treated group. Specific IgG anti-sporozoite and merozoite immunoglobulins in serum were significantly higher in the beta-glucan-treated groups than in the non-treated animals. No significant differences were found in the levels of intestinal IgA anti-sporozoite and anti-merozoite immunoglobulins. IFN-gamma- and IL-4-secreting cells, in response to sporozoite antigen, were detected in the spleen and mesenteric lymph nodes of the beta-glucan-treated groups only. In conclusion, the i.g. and s.c. oat beta-glucan treatment increased the resistance to E. vermiformis infection in immunosuppressed mice.
authors.affiliation: Department of Animal and Poultry Science, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Canada.
authors.forename: C H
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Yun
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Estrada
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Van Kessel
authors.forename: A A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Gajadhar
authors.forename: M J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Redmond
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Laarveld
mesh_terms: D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000818:Animals; D000913:Antibodies, Protozoan / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology; D003048:Coccidiosis / Q000276:immunology / Q000628:therapy; D003907:Dexamethasone / Q000494:pharmacology; D004539:Eimeria / Q000254:growth & development / Q000276:immunology*; D005260:Female; D005936:Glucans / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D007070:Immunoglobulin A / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism; D007075:Immunoglobulin M / Q000097:blood; D007165:Immunosuppression Therapy; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000096:biosynthesis; D015847:Interleukin-4 / Q000096:biosynthesis; D007422:Intestines / Q000276:immunology; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D013997:Time Factors; D047071:beta-Glucans
chemical_list: D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic; D000913:Antibodies, Protozoan; D005936:Glucans; D007070:Immunoglobulin A; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D007075:Immunoglobulin M; D047071:beta-Glucans; D015847:Interleukin-4; C067858:beta-glucan, (1-3)(1-4)-; D003907:Dexamethasone; D007371:Interferon-gamma