Abstract
In this study, the immunomodulatory activities of Apostichopus japonicus glycosaminoglycan (AHG) on the nature killer (NK) cells, cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) and cyclophosphamide (CY)-treated mice were investigated. After stimulation with multiple concentrations of AHG (0–100 μg/mL), NK cells and CTLs displayed outperformance against YAC-1 and B16 cells, respectively. Furthermore, the mitogen-induced splenic lymphocyte proliferation in CY-induced immunosuppressed mice was significantly promoted by AHG. In addition, the administration of AHG dramatically increased the splenocytes Ca2+ concentration and the delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) reaction in a dose-dependent manner. Besides, AHG could strongly increase the total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC), the activities of superoxidase dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) as well as glutathione peroxidase (GSH-PX), and could decrease the malondialdehyde (MDA) level in the heart, kidney and liver. These findings indicated that AHG played an important role in the immune enhancement and protection against CY-induced immunosuppression and oxidative damage. Our findings provide experimental evidence for further research and possible immunostimulatory applications of AHG in clinical practice.
Highlights
Immunomodulatory agents used as complementary or alternative medicines have become popular for treating different immune disorders
Higher than that in LNT (40 μg/mL) group (p < 0.05). These results indicated that Apostichopus japonicus glycosaminoglycan (AHG) strengthened the activity of nature killer (NK) cell against tumor cells
We for the first time reported the immunostimulatory activities of a novel glycosaminoglycan fraction isolated from Apostichopus japonicus on NK cells, cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) in vitro and immunosuppressed mice caused by cyclophosphamide treatment
Summary
Immunomodulatory agents used as complementary or alternative medicines have become popular for treating different immune disorders. Co-administration of immunomodulatory agents and anti-tumor drugs is used to reduce the harmful side effect of chemotherapy [1]. The bioactive polysaccharides isolated from natural source have recently been studied as a new immunopotentiator source for their profound effect on the immune system with relative nontoxicity and no significant side effects [2]. They exert a variety of immune regulatory functions including the activation of immune-related cells, promotion of cytokine or chemokine secretion as well as activation of complement system [3].
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