title: Modulation of humoral and cell-mediated immune responses by dietary lutein in cats.
abstract: The immuno-modulatory role of dietary lutein in domestic cats is unknown. Female Tabby cats (10-month old; n=56) were supplemented daily for 12 weeks with 0, 1, 5 or 10mg lutein. Blood was collected on Weeks 0, 2, 4, 8 and 12 to assess the following: (1) mitogen-induced peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) proliferation, (2) changes in PBMC subpopulations, (3) interleukin-2 (IL-2) production and (4) plasma immunoglobulin (Ig)G production. In addition, delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) response to concanavalin A (Con A) or a polyvalent vaccine was performed on Weeks 0, 6 and 12. Dietary lutein increased plasma lutein concentrations in a dose-dependent manner (p<0.001) and concentrations had not reached steady state after 12 weeks of feeding in cats given 5 or 10mg lutein. Concentrations of plasma retinol and alpha-tocopherol were not influenced by diet. The DTH response to vaccine but not to Con A increased (p<0.05) in a dose-dependent manner on Week 6. Compared to control, cats fed lutein also showed enhanced Con A- and pokeweed mitogen-stimulated PBMCs proliferation. Dietary lutein also increased the percentages of CD4+ and CD21+ lymphocytes on Week 12 but had no significant effect on pan T, CD8 and MHC class II markers. Plasma IgG was higher (p<0.05) in cats fed 10mg lutein on Weeks 8 and 12. These results support the immuno-modulatory action of lutein in domestic cats.
authors.affiliation: Department of Animal Sciences, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99164-6351, USA.
authors.forename: H W
authors.initials: HW
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: B P
authors.initials: BP
authors.lastname: Chew
authors.forename: T S
authors.initials: TS
authors.lastname: Wong
authors.forename: J S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Park
authors.forename: B B
authors.initials: BB
authors.lastname: Weng
authors.forename: K M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Byrne
authors.forename: M G
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Hayek
authors.forename: G A
authors.initials: GA
authors.lastname: Reinhart
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000917:Antibody Formation / Q000276:immunology*; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D002415:Cats / Q000276:immunology*; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid / Q000662:veterinary; D004032:Diet / Q000662:veterinary*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005260:Female; D005434:Flow Cytometry / Q000662:veterinary; D006968:Hypersensitivity, Delayed / Q000276:immunology; D007111:Immunity, Cellular / Q000276:immunology*; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000096:biosynthesis; D007376:Interleukin-2 / Q000096:biosynthesis; D014975:Lutein / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000097:blood; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation / Q000187:drug effects; D008934:Mitogens / Q000494:pharmacology; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D014801:Vitamin A / Q000097:blood; D014810:Vitamin E / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D007376:Interleukin-2; D008934:Mitogens; D014801:Vitamin A; D014810:Vitamin E; D014975:Lutein