title: Ginsan improved Th1 immune response inhibited by gamma radiation.
abstract: Gamma radiation causes suppression of the immune function, and immune properties are related to cytokine production. In the present study, the polysaccharide, Ginsan, purified from an ethanol-insoluble fraction of Ginseng (Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer, Araliaceae) water extract was studied to assess its effects on the immunosuppressive activities of gamma radiation. Ginsan was found to stimulate murine normal splenocytes by inducing the mRNA expressions of Th1 and Th2 type cytokines, and also restore the mRNA expression of IFN-gamma, Th1 cytokine, after its inhibition by whole-body gamma irradiation. Therefore, Ginsan was found to restore the T lymphocytes function that had been suppressed by gamma irradiation in allogenic MLR (mixed lymphocyte reactions). However, Ginsan exhibited no excessive stimulatory effects on the control group. The above results indicated that Ginsan may constitute a new noble agent for the improvement of gamma radiation-induced immunosuppression.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Immunology, Korea Institute of Radiological and Medical sciences 215-4 Gongneung-dong, Nowon-ku, Seoul 139-706, Korea.
authors.forename: Seon-Kyu
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Han
authors.forename: Jie-Young
authors.initials: JY
authors.lastname: Song
authors.forename: Yeon-Sook
authors.initials: YS
authors.lastname: Yun
authors.forename: Seh-Yoon
authors.initials: SY
authors.lastname: Yi
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D016207:Cytokines / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics; D005720:Gamma Rays; D007959:Lymphocyte Culture Test, Mixed; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D011134:Polysaccharides / Q000494:pharmacology*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000096:biosynthesis; D011833:Radiation Injuries, Experimental / Q000276:immunology / Q000517:prevention & control; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D013154:Spleen / Q000166:cytology; D018417:Th1 Cells / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000276:immunology / Q000528:radiation effects
chemical_list: D016207:Cytokines; D011134:Polysaccharides; D012333:RNA, Messenger; C111520:ginsan