Comparison of immunological properties of various bioactive combinations.
BACKGROUND
Lately, more and more preparation of various cocktails or mixtures of bioactive modulators have been introduced. Their true activity is, however, rarely tested.


OBJECTIVE
To compare six commercially available, glucan-based immunostimulators.


METHODS
Immunological effects of tested combinations were measured by evaluation of phagocytosis of synthetic particles by peripheral blood neutrophils, production of IL-2 by mouse splenocytes, production of superoxide anion and nitrite oxide, antibody response to imunization with ovalbumin, and NK cell activity.


RESULTS
Our results showed that with the exception of the highest doses (phagocytosis) and superoxide anion and nitrite oxide production, only RVB 300 showed significant immunostimulative activity.


CONCLUSIONS
Based on our results, we can conclude that most of the tested natural immunomodulators have limited, if any, biological effects. Only RVB 300 significantly stimulated all six tested immunological reactions.
Department of Pathology, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, USA. Vaclav.vetvicka@louisville.edu
Vaclav
V
Vetvicka
Jana
J
Vetvickova
D000818:Animals; D002460:Cell Line; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007114:Immunization; D007155:Immunologic Factors / Q000494:pharmacology*; D007376:Interleukin-2 / Q000378:metabolism; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D009504:Neutrophils / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000378:metabolism; D010047:Ovalbumin / Q000276:immunology; D010587:Phagocytosis / Q000187:drug effects; D013481:Superoxides / Q000378:metabolism
D007155:Immunologic Factors; D007376:Interleukin-2; D013481:Superoxides; D009569:Nitric Oxide; D010047:Ovalbumin