Immune activation and radioprotection by propolis.
In this study, we focused on immune stimulation by Propolis, and examined changes in the effect of irradiation after Propolis administration. We also examined the radioprotective effect of Propolis by observing its effect on the immune system. The effect of immune activation by Propolis was investigated by measuring the total immunoglobulin (Ig) G and IgM. The radioprotective effect of immune activation by Propolis was investigated by measuring the T-lymphocyte subsets in the peripheral blood of mice following whole body irradiation. Compared with the control group, the IgG was significantly reduced in the Propolis group, indicating that Propolis suppressed IgG production. ELISA revealed that the amount of IgM in mouse serum was significantly higher in the Propolis group as compared with the control group, indicating that Propolis increased IgM production. The number of CD4-positive cells was increased only in the Propolis group. Likewise, the number of CD4-positive cells increased by 81% in the Propolis with irradiation group compared with the irradiation group alone. Compared with the control group, the Propolis group increased CD8-positive cells. Compared with the irradiation alone group, CD8-positive cells were decreased by Propolis with irradiation group. Propolis activated macrophages to stimulate interferon (IFN)-gamma production in association with the secondary activation of T-lymphocytes, resulting in a decrease in IgG and IgM production. Cytokines released from macrophages in mouse peripheral blood after Propolis administration activated helper T-cells to proliferate. In addition, activated macrophages in association with the secondary T-lymphocyte activation increased IFN-gamma production and stimulated proliferation of cytotoxic T-cells and suppressor T-cells, indicating the activation of cell-mediated immune responses.
Takagi
Yasuyuki
Y
Graduate School of Health Science, Suzuka University of Medical Science 1001-1 Kishioka-cho, Suzuka-shi, Mie 510-0293, Japan.
Choi
In-Sook
IS
Yamashita
Takenori
T
Nakamura
Takashi
T
Suzuki
Ikukatsu
I
Hasegawa
Takeo
T
Oshima
Masami
M
Gu
Yeun-Hwa
YH
D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic; D000818:Animals; D016207:Cytokines / Q000378:metabolism; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D007109:Immunity / Q000187:drug effects; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000032:analysis; D007075:Immunoglobulin M / Q000032:analysis; D008264:Macrophages / Q000276:immunology; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008809:Mice, Inbred C3H; D011429:Propolis / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011837:Radiation-Protective Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D016176:T-Lymphocyte Subsets / Q000187:drug effects / Q000528:radiation effects*; D014916:Whole-Body Irradiation / Q000662:veterinary
D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic; D016207:Cytokines; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D007075:Immunoglobulin M; D011837:Radiation-Protective Agents; D011429:Propolis