Effects of polyphenols on human Th1 and Th2 cytokine production.
BACKGROUND
Numerous phenolic compounds are consumed in the diet in a range of foods. There are very few studies of the effects of these compounds on the production of lymphocyte-derived cytokines.


OBJECTIVE
To investigate the effects of five phenolic compounds on cytokine production by cultured human lymphocytes.


METHODS
Human whole blood cultures were stimulated with the T cell stimulant concanavalin A for 48 h in the presence of phenolic compounds (vanillic acid, syringic acid, kaempferol, oleuropein and tyrosol) at concentrations up to 10(-4) M. Interleukin (IL)-2, IL-4 and interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) concentrations were measured in the culture supernatants by ELISA.


RESULTS
IFN-gamma concentration was significantly lower in cultures containing 10(-4) M kaempferol than in cultures with kaempferol at 10(-7), 10(-6)and 10(-5) M or without kaempferol. The other phenolic compounds did not affect IFN-gamma concentration and none of the phenolics tested affected IL-2 or IL-4 concentrations.


CONCLUSIONS
Some, but not all, phenolic compounds can decrease IFN-gamma production by stimulated human whole blood cultures.
Miles
Elizabeth A
EA
Institute of Human Nutrition, School of Medicine, University of Southampton, Bassett Crescent East, Southampton SO16 7PX, UK. eam@soton.ac.uk
Zoubouli
Pinelope
P
Calder
Philip C
PC
D002478:Cells, Cultured; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay / Q000379:methods; D005419:Flavonoids / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D007376:Interleukin-2 / Q000096:biosynthesis; D015847:Interleukin-4 / Q000096:biosynthesis; D007378:Interleukins / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D010636:Phenols / Q000494:pharmacology*; D059808:Polyphenols; D018417:Th1 Cells / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D018418:Th2 Cells / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism
D005419:Flavonoids; D007376:Interleukin-2; D007378:Interleukins; D010636:Phenols; D059808:Polyphenols; D015847:Interleukin-4; D007371:Interferon-gamma