Effects of camel milk on intestinal mucosal immune function in mice

Abstract

Objective To investigate the effects of camel milk on immune cells in lamina propria (LP) of intestinal mucosa in mice. Methods Six male C57BL/6 mice (6-8 weeks) were randomly divided into two groups as follows: camel milk treatment group and double distilled water (DDW) control group. Samples of cells in LP of intestinal mucosa were collected. Cell counts and percentages of immune cells in LP were analyzed by flow cytometry. Levels of IL-4, IL-10, IL-17 and IFN-γ in the supernatants of cell culture were measured by ELISA. Results Compared with the DDW control group, the camel milk treatment group showed increased percentage and absolute number of CD4+ T cells as well as IFN-γ-secreting CD4+ T cells in LP of intestinal mucosa (P<0.05). Moreover, significantly enhanced expression of IFN-γ and suppressed secretion of IL-4 were found in the camel milk treatment group (P<0.05). Conclusion Camel milk can promote the proliferation of CD4+ T cells and enhance the secretion of IFN-γ, indicating that camel milk regulates the proliferation and cytokine secretion of immune cells in LP of intestinal mucosa in healthy mice. Key words: Camel milk; Lamina propria lymphocyte; Immunologic function