• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.63 no.5
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• pp.1159-1168
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• 2021

Ovotransferrin (OTF), an egg protein known as transferrin family protein, possess strong antimicrobial and antioxidant activity. This is because OTF has two iron binding sites, so it has a strong metal chelating ability. The present study aimed to evaluate the improved immune-enhancing activities of OTF hydrolysates produced using bromelain, pancreatin, and papain. The effects of OTF hydrolysates on the production and secretion of pro-inflammatory mediators in RAW 264.7 macrophages were confirmed. The production of nitric oxide (NO) was evaluated using Griess reagent and the expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) were evaluated using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). And the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines (tumor necrosis factor [TNF]-α and interleukin [IL]-6) and the phagocytic activity of macrophages were evaluated using an ELISA assay and neutral red uptake assay, respectively. All OTF hydrolysates enhanced NO production by increasing iNOS mRNA expression. Treating RAW 264.7 macrophages with OTF hydrolysates increased the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines and the phagocytic activity. The production of NO and pro-inflammatory cytokines induced by OTF hydrolysates was inhibited by the addition of specific mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) inhibitors. In conclusion, results indicated that all OTF hydrolysates activated RAW 264.7 macrophages by activating MAPK signaling pathway.

• Proceedings of the Zoological Society Korea Conference
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• 2000.10a
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• pp.280.2-281
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• 2000

No Abstract, See Full Text

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.14 no.5
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• pp.453-462
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• 2020

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Platycodon grandiflorum (PG), an oriental herbal medicine, has been known to improve liver function, and has both anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties. However, little is known about the immune-enhancing effects of PG and its mechanism. In this study, we aimed to investigate whether fermented PG extract (FPGE), which has increased platycodin D content, activates the immune response in a murine macrophage cell line, RAW 264.7. MATERIALS/METHODS: Cell viability was determined by Cell Counting Kit-8 assay and the nitric oxide (NO) levels were measured using Griess reagent. Cytokine messenger RNA levels of were monitored by quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. To investigate the molecular mechanisms underlying immunomodulatory actions of FPGE in RAW 264.7 cells, we have conducted luciferase reporter gene assay and western blotting. RESULTS: We found that FPGE treatment induced macrophage cell proliferation in a dose-dependent manner. FPGE also modulated the expression of NO and pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin (IL)-1β, and IL-6. The activation and phosphorylation levels of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) were increased by FPGE treatment. Moreover, 5-aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide ribonucleotide, an activator of AMP-activated kinase (AMPK), significantly reduced both lipopolysaccharides- and FPGE-induced NF-κB reporter gene activity. CONCLUSIONS: Taken together, our findings suggest that FPGE may be a novel immune-enhancing agent acting via AMPK-NF-κB signaling pathway.

• The Korean Journal of Food And Nutrition
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• v.35 no.1
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• pp.43-50
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• 2022

Agar, a heterogeneous polymer of galactose, is the main component of the cell wall of marine red algae. It is well established as a safe, non-digestible carbohydrate in oriental countries. Neoagarooligosaccharides (NAOs) prepared by hydrolyzing agar by microbial β-agarase have been reported to show safety. However, their immunological effects have not been reported yet. Thus, the objective of this study was to investigate immune enhancing effects of neoagarooligosaccharides (NAOs) from marine red algae Gelidium elegans in mice by performing ex vivo experiments. Six-week-old mice were fed ad libitum. NAOs were orally administrated at three different concentrations (100, 500, and 2,500 mg/kg B.W./day) twice a week for four weeks. The group fed with NAOs at 2,500 mg/kg showed the highest proliferation of splenocytes and production levels of cytokines (IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α) in the ex vivo experiment. In conclusion, NAOs can enhance immune function, increase proliferation of splenocytes, and increase cytokine production by activating macrophages in mice.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Service
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• v.47 no.3
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• pp.165-172
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• 2024

This study aimed to assess and compare the immune response in beagle dogs following the oral administration of a 5% propolis liquid concentrate and a 1:1 mixture of propolis and wet pet food. To assess the immune response, cell counting kit assays, cytokine enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for TNF-alpha, IFN-gamma, and IL-1 beta, and flow cytometry were conducted. Propolis was administered at a concentration of 5% and a dosage of 20 g, with the beagles monitored over 8 weeks. Three beagles served as controls, while four beagles each were assigned to the propolis-only group and the propolis and feed mixture group. The results demonstrated that, regardless of its form, propolis enhanced immune responses in beagles. These findings suggest that administering of a mixture of propolis and wet pet food may increase the palatability of propolis for beagle dogs while maintaining its immune-enhancing effects.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.34 no.10
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• pp.2079-2090
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• 2024

In response to the growing demand for immune-related products, this study evaluated the safety and immune-modulating potential of three newly discovered Lactiplantibacillus plantarum strains (GKM3, GKK1, and GKD7) through toxicity tests and whole-genome sequencing. Safety evaluations, including the analysis of antimicrobial resistance genes, virulence factors, plasmids, and prophages, classified these strains as safe for human consumption. Acute oral toxicity tests further supported their safety. To evaluate their immune-modulating potential, dendritic cells were exposed to these strains, and the secretion of key cytokines (IFN-β and IL-12) was measured. Among the strains, GKK1 exhibited the highest enhancement of IFN-β and IL-12 production, suggesting its potential as an immune-stimulating probiotic. Bioinformatics analysis revealed potential metabolic pathways and secondary metabolites, including predicted bacteriocins, associated with immune modulation. The presence of a nitrate reductase region in the GKK1 strain indicated its ability to produce nitric oxide, a critical molecule involved in immune regulation and host defense. The presence of glucorhamnan-related gene clusters in GKK1 also suggested immune-enhancing effects. Nitrate reductase expression was confirmed using qPCR, with the highest levels detected in GKK1. Moreover, this study is the first to show an anti-inflammatory effect of plantaricin A, linked to its presence in strain GKM3 and its potential therapeutic applications due to sequence similarity to known anti-inflammatory peptides. Overall, these three L. plantarum strains demonstrated a safe profile and GKK1 showed potential as an immunity-enhancing probiotic. However, additional investigation is required to confirm the involvement of specific metabolic pathways, secondary metabolites, and bacteriocins in immune responses.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.18 no.6
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• pp.1762-1768
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• 2004

The Korean formula medicine, Gami-Yukmi-Jihwang-Tang (GYJT) has been used for growing slowly, short of stature, incomplete development, fatigue, weak child, growing pain of child. However, it is still unclear how GYJT has an effect on experimental models. In the present study, the author investigated the immune-enhancing effect of GYJT. Forced swimming test (FST) was performed as a model of activity test in mice and measured blood urea nitrogen (BUN), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), lactic dehydrogenase (LDH), glucose (Glc) and total protein (TP) in the serum. GYJT (1, 0.1 and 0.01 g/㎏) were orally administered to mice, once per day for 7 days using a feeding atraumatic needle. After 3 days, on FST, the immobility time was significantly decreased in the GYJT (0.01g/㎏/day)-fed group (120.75±5.71s) in comparison with the saline-fed group (153.80±10.74s). After 7 days, the immobility time was significantly decreased in the GYJT (0.1 and 0.01g/㎏/day)-fed group (125.67±5.36s and 107.67±3.71s) in comparison with the saline-fed group (167.67±12.99s). In addition, the contents of BUN and Glc in the blood serum were significantly decreased and the contents of AST, ALT and LDH were also decreased in the GYJT (1g/㎏/day)-fed group. However, the content of TP was not changed. The present results suggest that GYJT may be useful for the anti-fatigue and immune-enhancing agent. Also, the author investigated the effect of GYJT on the production of cytokines in human T-cell line, MOLT-4 cells. However, GYJT has not affected the production of IFN­γ, IL-2, IL-4. These results suggest that GYJT has immune-enhancing effect but does not affect T cell-mediated production of cytokines in the immune function improvement.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.46 no.1
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• pp.26-33
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• 2017

The objective of this study was to examine the immune-enhancing effects of polysaccharides isolated from Phellinus linteus mycelium on Mori ramulus. Crude polysaccharides were isolated by pressurized extraction ($121^{\circ}C$, $1.2kgf/cm^2$, 3 h), ethanol precipitation, and lyophilization. In addition, crude polysaccharides were further fractionated into unabsorbed fractions (PF-1, fraction No. 3~15) and absorbed fractions (PF-2, fraction No. 24~33) by DEAE-sepharose CL-6B column chromatography in order to isolate immune-regulating polysaccharides. The major constituents in PF-1 and PF-2 were total sugar (75.51% and 52.38%), total protein (1.63% and 8.41%), uronic acid (17.53% and 15.04%), and ${\beta}-glucan$ (28.33% and 25.04%), respectively. PF-1 increased production of nitric oxide (NO) and cytokines, such as tumor necrosis factor-alpha ($TNF-{\alpha}$) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) in a dose-dependent manner. The mRNA expression levels of inducible NO synthetase, cyclooxygenase-2, $TNF-{\alpha}$, and IL-6 markedly increased as determined by polymerase chain reaction analysis. The above data led us to conclude that macrophage activation of purified polysaccharides was higher than that of crude polysaccharides. The polysaccharides isolated from P. linteus mycelium on M. ramulus investigated herein are useful as natural immune-enhancing agents.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.44 no.5
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• pp.673-680
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• 2015

In this study, the immune-enhancing effects of purified polysaccharides from ascidian (Halocynthia roretzi) tunic were investigated. Crude polysaccharides (AP) were isolated by enzyme extraction (neutrase, $60^{\circ}C$, 15h), ethanol precipitation, and lyophilization. In addition, crude polysaccharides were further fractionated into unabsorbed fractions (APF-I, fraction No. 11~17) and absorbed fractions (APF-II, fraction No. 22~37) by DEAE-sepharose CL-6B column chromatography in order to isolate immune regulating polysaccharide. The major constituents in APF-I and APF-II were total sugar (66.62% and 27.03%), uronic acid (47.53% and 15.87%), hexosamine (16.62% and 46.79%), and protein (2.43% and 4.94%), respectively. APF-I increased production of nitric oxide (NO) and cytokines, such as tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-${\alpha}$) and interleukin (IL)-6 in a dose-dependent manner. The mRNA expression levels of inducible NO synthetase, cyclooxygenase-2, TNF-${\alpha}$, and IL-6 were markedly increased as determined by polymerase chain reaction analysis. The above data led us to conclude that macrophage activation of purified polysaccharides was higher than that of crude polysaccharides. The polysaccharides isolated from ascidian tunic investigated herein are useful as natural immune enhancing agents.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.11 no.sup1
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• pp.111-116
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• 2008

Immunonutrition is the provision of specific nutrients that modulate the activity of the immune system. Several nutrients including arginine, glutamine, nucleotides, omega-3 fatty acids, vitamins, minerals, and prebiotics can be provided to enhance immunity in critically ill patients. Supplying immunonutrition to critically-ill children, better prognosis and shortening of the hospital stay are expected from its immuno-modulating effects. Therefore, immune-enhancing enteral and parenteral formulas can be recommended in children with severe illness.