Protective effect of chitooligosaccharides against cyclophosphamide-induced immunosuppression in mice.
Chitooligosaccharides (COS) display a variety of important biological activities, including antimicrobial, antitumor, anti-inflammatory, and immunoenhancing. In the present study, a COS sample (degree of polymerization 4-11, analyzed by FTIR and MALDI-TOF-MS) prepared by hydrolysis with a recombinant chitosanase was orally administered to mice for evaluation of its effect on cyclophosphamide (Cy)-induced immunosuppression. Thymus and spleen indices, delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) reaction, macrophage phagocytosis, and certain enzyme activities were significantly higher in mice treated with COS+Cy than in mice treated with Cy alone. ELISA experiments showed that COS treatment enhanced production of the cytokines IL-2, IL-12, and IFN-γ but decreased production of IL-10 in sera of Cy-treated mice. The well-defined COS product studied displayed strong immunoenhancing activity and a protective effect against Cy-induced immunosuppression. COS-derived products should be further investigated for possible immunostimulatory applications in the food and pharmaceutical industries.
State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, PR China.
Yu-xia
YX
Mei
Hong-xia
HX
Chen
Jun
J
Zhang
Xue-dan
XD
Zhang
Yun-xiang
YX
Liang
D000135:Acid Phosphatase / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D048271:Chitosan / Q000737:chemistry*; D003520:Cyclophosphamide / Q000009:adverse effects*; D016207:Cytokines / Q000378:metabolism; D006968:Hypersensitivity, Delayed / Q000276:immunology; D007108:Immune Tolerance / Q000187:drug effects*; D007770:L-Lactate Dehydrogenase / Q000378:metabolism; D008264:Macrophages / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D009844:Oligosaccharides / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000494:pharmacology*; D010587:Phagocytosis / Q000187:drug effects; D013154:Spleen / Q000187:drug effects / Q000201:enzymology / Q000276:immunology; D013950:Thymus Gland / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology
D016207:Cytokines; D009844:Oligosaccharides; D003520:Cyclophosphamide; D048271:Chitosan; D007770:L-Lactate Dehydrogenase; D000135:Acid Phosphatase
Chitooligosaccharides; Immunoenhancement; Immunosuppression