title: Effect of polysaccharide from cultured Cordyceps sinensis on immune function and anti-oxidation activity of mice exposed to 60Co.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The present study was designed to investigate the molecular weight (MW), chemical composition and effect of polysaccharide (CS-PS), from the fruiting bodies of cultured Cordyceps sinensis, on immune function and anti-oxidation activity of BALB/c mice exposed to (60)Co.
  
  
  METHODS
  The MW of CS-PS was determined by gel-filtration. The chemical composition of CS-PS was tested by using gas chromatography-mass spectrophotometer (GC-MS). Mice were administered CS-PS with doses of 50, 100 or 200mg/kg body weight, then exposed to (60)Co. The normal control group and irradiated control group were also used. Four days later, lymphocyte proliferation, activity of macrophage phagocytosis, delayed type hypersensitivity (DTH), concentration of malondialdehyde (MDA), total-superoxide dismutase (SOD) enzyme activity, and cytokine expression in serum from the mice were tested.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The average molecular weight of CP-PS was 12 kD. The polysaccharide was composed of mannose, rhamnose, arabinose, xylose, glucose and galactose. Lymphocyte proliferation, the activity of macrophage phagocytosis, DTH and total-SOD enzyme activity in the CS-PS groups were significantly enhanced compared to the irradiated control group. Lipid peroxidation level was significantly reduced in the CS-PS groups compared to the irradiated control group. Levels of cytokine IL-4, IL-5 and IL-17 are also affected in the CS-PS groups compared to the irradiated control group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  CS-PS, a heteropolysaccharide, enhances immunity activity in mice treated by ionizing radiation, through reducing oxidative injury and modulating the secretion of cytokine IL-4, IL-5 and IL-17.
authors: Department of Nutrition and Food Hygiene, School of Public Health, Peking University, Beijing 100191, PR China.
authors: Jiali
authors: J
authors: Zhang
authors: Yongchao
authors: Y
authors: Yu
authors: Zhaofeng
authors: Z
authors: Zhang
authors: Ye
authors: Y
authors: Ding
authors: Xiaoqian
authors: X
authors: Dai
authors: Yong
authors: Y
authors: Li
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D003037:Cobalt Radioisotopes / Q000009:adverse effects*; D032661:Cordyceps; D016207:Cytokines / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D006968:Hypersensitivity, Delayed / Q000209:etiology; D015227:Lipid Peroxidation / Q000187:drug effects / Q000528:radiation effects; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation / Q000187:drug effects / Q000528:radiation effects*; D008264:Macrophages / Q000187:drug effects / Q000528:radiation effects; D008315:Malondialdehyde / Q000097:blood; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D010587:Phagocytosis / Q000187:drug effects / Q000528:radiation effects; D011134:Polysaccharides / Q000276:immunology*; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D003037:Cobalt Radioisotopes; D016207:Cytokines; D011134:Polysaccharides; D008315:Malondialdehyde; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase