title: Effect of Theobroma cacao flavonoids on immune activation of a lymphoid cell line.
abstract: We analysed the effect of (-)-epicatechin and cocoa extract on the activation of a lymphoid cell line. Particularly the expression of IL-2 receptor alpha (IL-2Ralpha or CD25) and, the secretion of IL-2 and IL-4 were established after flavonoid treatment. Two media culture conditions (1 and 10 % of fetal calf serum supplementation) and the different moments of flavonoid addition (simultaneously or 2 h before cell-activation) were compared. IL-2Ralpha (CD25) expression on activated cells was significantly reduced by epicatechin and cocoa extract in a dose-dependent manner, achieving the highest inhibition of about 50 % when flavonoids were added 2 h before stimulation. IL-2 secretion was also inhibited by the presence of both epicatechin and cocoa extract, displaying 60 and 75 % of inhibition, respectively. Cocoa flavonoids were also able to enhance 3-4.5-fold IL-4 release. In summary, cocoa extract down-modulated T lymphocyte activation and therefore the acquired immune response. This fact could be important in some states of the immune system hyperactivity such as autoimmune or chronic inflammatory diseases.
authors: Department of Physiology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Barcelona, Av. Joan XXIII s/n, 08 028 Barcelona, Spain.
authors: Emma
authors: E
authors: Ramiro
authors: Angels
authors: A
authors: Franch
authors: Cristina
authors: C
authors: Castellote
authors: Cristina
authors: C
authors: Andrés-Lacueva
authors: Maria
authors: M
authors: Izquierdo-Pulido
authors: Margarida
authors: M
authors: Castell
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002099:Cacao / Q000737:chemistry / Q000276:immunology*; D002273:Carcinogens / Q000494:pharmacology; D002392:Catechin / Q000378:metabolism; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology; D002470:Cell Survival; D005419:Flavonoids / Q000276:immunology*; D007376:Interleukin-2 / Q000378:metabolism; D015847:Interleukin-4 / Q000378:metabolism; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation / Q000276:immunology*; D051379:Mice; D015375:Receptors, Interleukin-2 / Q000378:metabolism; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D013755:Tetradecanoylphorbol Acetate / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D002273:Carcinogens; D005419:Flavonoids; D007376:Interleukin-2; D015375:Receptors, Interleukin-2; D015847:Interleukin-4; D002392:Catechin; D013755:Tetradecanoylphorbol Acetate