Feeding ZESPRI GOLD Kiwifruit puree to mice enhances serum immunoglobulins specific for ovalbumin and stimulates ovalbumin-specific mesenteric lymph node cell proliferation in response to orally administered ovalbumin.
The health benefits of fruits have been recognized for some time, but only recently have their effects on the immune system been investigated. Kiwifruit contains vitamins, minerals, and phytochemicals that are known to be important for normal functioning of the immune system. In this work, the influence of feeding 2 ZESPRI GOLD Kiwifruit processed products (Tauranga, New Zealand) on immune function in mice was investigated. Using a model to demonstrate adaptive immune responses in the gut, mice were fed either ZESPRI GOLD Kiwifruit puree or ZESPRI GOLD Kiwifruit 40 degrees Brix Juice concentrate for 20 days, during which time they were immunized via the oral route with ovalbumin and subsequently given a suboptimal dose of the mucosal adjuvant cholera toxin. ZESPRI GOLD Kiwifruit puree enhanced the response to ovalbumin by significantly increasing the levels of total immunoglobulins and immunoglobulin G specific for ovalbumin and enhanced the antigen-specific proliferation of cells from the draining mesenteric lymph nodes compared with mice fed a 20% sugar control. These results indicate that ZESPRI GOLD Kiwifruit can modulate an antigen-specific immune response and suggest that ZESPRI GOLD Kiwifruit may represent a new type of functional food ingredient.
Hunter
Denise C
DC
Health and Food Group, The Horticulture and Food Research Institute of New Zealand, Mt Albert, Auckland 1025, New Zealand. dhunter@hortresearch.co.nz
Denis
Michel
M
Parlane
Natalie A
NA
Buddle
Bryce M
BM
Stevenson
Lesley M
LM
Skinner
Margot A
MA
D029042:Actinidia / Q000737:chemistry / Q000276:immunology; D000284:Administration, Oral; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000818:Animals; D000917:Antibody Formation; D000918:Antibody Specificity; D002455:Cell Division; D002772:Cholera Toxin; D005260:Female; D018928:Immunity, Mucosal; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000276:immunology; D007136:Immunoglobulins / Q000276:immunology; D008198:Lymph Nodes / Q000166:cytology*; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D010047:Ovalbumin / Q000276:immunology*; D011897:Random Allocation
D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D007136:Immunoglobulins; D010047:Ovalbumin; D002772:Cholera Toxin