Effects on immune response of antidiabetic ingredients from white-skinned sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas L.).
OBJECTIVE
The present report describes the effects of antidiabetic ingredients from white-skinned sweet potato (AWSSP) on the immune response of human cells.


METHODS
We studied the effects of inactive Staphylococcus aureus cells coated with AWSSP on phagocytic activity, phagosome-lysosome fusion, and superoxide anion release by human leukocytes in vitro.


RESULTS
AWSSP increased phagocytic activity and phagosome-lysosome fusion in neutrophils and monocytes in a dose-dependent manner. In contrast, AWSSP had no significant effect on superoxide anion release (O2-) from human neutrophils.


CONCLUSIONS
These results show that AWSSP is useful in the prevention and improvement of diabetic symptoms by stimulating human immunity and that Ipomoea batatas L. is a beneficial food because it increases immune activity in addition to its antidiabetic effects.
Miyazaki
Yoshiko
Y
Department of Food Science and Nutrition, School of Human Environmental Sciences, Institute for Biosciences, Mukogawa Women's University, Hyogo, Japan. miyazaki@mwu.mukogawa-u.ac.jp
Kusano
Shuichi
S
Doi
Hiroshi
H
Aki
Osami
O
D002459:Cell Fusion / Q000379:methods; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D006801:Humans; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D007109:Immunity / Q000187:drug effects*; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D027723:Ipomoea batatas / Q000276:immunology*; D008247:Lysosomes / Q000187:drug effects; D009000:Monocytes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology; D009504:Neutrophils / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology; D010587:Phagocytosis / Q000187:drug effects; D010588:Phagosomes / Q000187:drug effects; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000276:immunology*; D012016:Reference Values; D013481:Superoxides / Q000378:metabolism
D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents; D010936:Plant Extracts; D013481:Superoxides