title: Investigation of the immunostimulatory properties of oxihumate.
abstract: A unique process has been developed to convert bituminous coal by controlled wet oxidation followed by base treatment to a water-soluble humate called oxihumate. The effects of oxihumate on the proliferative response of lymphocytes has been studied in vitro and ex vivo. Oxihumate increased the proliferative response of phytohaemagglutinin-stimulated human lymphocytes, from a concentration of 20 microg/ml and upwards. This response was even more striking in the case of lymphocytes from HIV-infected patients and was not limited to the in vitro setting since similar effects were observed ex vivo following administration of a non-toxic dosage of 4 g oxihumate per day to HIV-positive individuals for two weeks. Mechanistic studies revealed that stimulation of the proliferative response of lymphocytes by oxihumate is associated with an increased production of IL-2, as well as expression of the IL-2 receptor in the setting of decreased production of IL-10. Oxihumate therefore holds promise for the treatment of immunocompromized patients.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Pretoria, PO Box 2034, Pretoria, 0001, South Africa. cmedlen@postillion.up.ac.za
authors.forename: Gisela Käthe
authors.initials: GK
authors.lastname: Jooné
authors.forename: Johan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Dekker
authors.forename: Constance Elizabeth Jansen
authors.initials: CE
authors.lastname: van Rensburg
mesh_terms: D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D006679:HIV Seropositivity / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D006812:Humic Substances / Q000494:pharmacology*; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D016753:Interleukin-10 / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism; D007376:Interleukin-2 / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation / Q000187:drug effects*; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology; D008934:Mitogens / Q000494:pharmacology; D010835:Phytohemagglutinins / Q000494:pharmacology; D012016:Reference Values; D012995:Solubility
chemical_list: D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic; D006812:Humic Substances; D007376:Interleukin-2; D008934:Mitogens; D010835:Phytohemagglutinins; C469783:oxihumate; D016753:Interleukin-10