[Protective effect of tea on immune function in mice].
OBJECTIVE
To study the mechanism of preventive effect of tea on cancer by immune regulation.


METHODS
A tumor model was induced in mice using carcinogen, 4-methyl-nitrosoamino-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanone (NNK), to examine their changes in immune function and the effects of green tea, mixed tea and polyphenol on protection from tumor.


RESULTS
During the four weeks of observation after injection of NNK into mice, their immunological indicators, such as cytophagocytosis of macrophage in the abdominal cavity, chemiluminescence of peripheral leukocyte, delayed allergic reaction, count of antibody-forming spleen cells and activity of spleen nature killer cells, etc. increased or decreased to various extent, as compared with those in normal controls. It was found that whether green tea, mixed tea or polyphenol all showed significant protection from adverse changes in immune functions.


CONCLUSIONS
Tea and its components had significant protection from early adverse changes in immune function in tumorgenesis induced by NNK.
D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000818:Animals; D002273:Carcinogens; D005260:Female; D005419:Flavonoids; D007694:Killer Cells, Natural / Q000276:immunology; D008264:Macrophages / Q000276:immunology; D051379:Mice; D009374:Neoplasms, Experimental / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000276:immunology; D009602:Nitrosamines; D010587:Phagocytosis / Q000187:drug effects; D010636:Phenols / Q000494:pharmacology*; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology; D011108:Polymers / Q000494:pharmacology*; D059808:Polyphenols; D013662:Tea / Q000737:chemistry*