title: [Significance of the absorption of macromolecules for the immune response of an organism].
abstract: Numerous antigens are offered to the living organism by the daily food. With these investigations the influence of orally administered human gammaglobulin (HGG) on the immunity of sensitized animals after systemic immunization should be clarified. Experiments were performed in rabbits. Changes of the circulation were measured by bloodpressure registration and measurements of the organ flow. Simultaneous investigations of the antibody content, complement C3 and histamin were performed in the peripheral blood. In orally fed animals as well as in non fed controls an i.v. antigen challenge was performed. The level of circulating antibodies could be significantly decreased (60%) by the oral administration of HGG. In control animals the parenteral antigen challenge resulted in a mortality rate of 50%. In these animals the bloodpressure decreased significantly and long lasting, whereas antigen fed animals showed only a slight change in bloodpressure with normalization after a short period. During oral absorption of antigen complement factor C3 remained unchanged. In the first hour after the oral antigen administration a significant increase of histamin in the peripheral blood could be observed. Investigation with regard to the fate of the antibodies which were decreased by antigen feeding showed a storage in the layers of the gut which was depending on the dosage. It could be demonstrated that it is possible to influence the systemic immune response by the enteral application of macromolecules and this is also relevant for reactions of the circulation.
authors.affiliation: Chirurgische Forschung der Klinik für Allgemeine, Christian-Albrechts-Universität Kiel.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Seifert
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Hallfeld
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Eberle
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000917:Antibody Formation / Q000502:physiology; D003165:Complement System Proteins / Q000276:immunology / Q000502:physiology; D000939:Epitopes; D006439:Hemodynamics / Q000276:immunology / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D007109:Immunity; D007408:Intestinal Absorption / Q000502:physiology*; D007422:Intestines / Q000276:immunology / Q000502:physiology; D046911:Macromolecular Substances; D011817:Rabbits; D005719:gamma-Globulins / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D000939:Epitopes; D046911:Macromolecular Substances; D005719:gamma-Globulins; D003165:Complement System Proteins