Aqueous extracts from dietary supplements influence the production of inflammatory cytokines in immortalized and primary T lymphocytes.
BACKGROUND
Congaplex and Immuplex are dietary supplements that have been traditionally used to support immune system function. The purpose of these experiments was to determine whether Congaplex and Immuplex affect immune function using primary and immortalized T lymphocytes.


METHODS
Immortalized CEM and Jurkat T lymphocytes and primary peripheral mononuclear blood cells (PBMCs) were treated with the aqueous extracts from Congaplex and Immuplex to determine the effects of these products on cytokine production in activated T lymphocytes.


RESULTS
Congaplex enhanced phytohemagglutinin/phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PHA/PMA) stimulation of both CEM and Jurkat cells as measured by the production of cytokines, while Immuplex suppressed PHA/PMA-induced production of cytokines, with the exception of interleukin (IL)-8 which was enhanced by Immuplex. In vitro treatment of PBMCs from 10 healthy donors with Congaplex or Immuplex decreased PHA-stimulated production of interferon (IFN)-gamma but increased the production of IL-13.


CONCLUSIONS
While the effects of Congaplex and Immuplex differed in these two models, these data demonstrate that the aqueous extracts from these two dietary supplements can affect the inflammatory response of T lymphocytes.
Hanlon
Paul R
PR
Standard Process, Department of Research and Development, Palmyra, WI 53156, USA. phanlon@standardprocess.com
Robbins
Melissa G
MG
Scholl
Chris
C
Barnes
David M
DM
D002460:Cell Line; D016207:Cytokines / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D004338:Drug Combinations; D006801:Humans; D007155:Immunologic Factors / Q000494:pharmacology*; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000096:biosynthesis; D018793:Interleukin-13 / Q000096:biosynthesis; D016209:Interleukin-8 / Q000096:biosynthesis; D019169:Jurkat Cells; D018977:Micronutrients / Q000494:pharmacology; D010835:Phytohemagglutinins / Q000494:pharmacology; D008517:Phytotherapy; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000096:biosynthesis; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D013755:Tetradecanoylphorbol Acetate / Q000494:pharmacology; D013949:Thymus Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology
D016207:Cytokines; D004338:Drug Combinations; D007155:Immunologic Factors; D018793:Interleukin-13; D016209:Interleukin-8; D018977:Micronutrients; D010835:Phytohemagglutinins; D010936:Plant Extracts; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D013949:Thymus Extracts; D007371:Interferon-gamma; D013755:Tetradecanoylphorbol Acetate