Restoration of immunity by whole egg was superior to egg white or egg yolk in a cyclophosphamide-induced immunocompromised mouse model

Abstract

As a nutritious and inexpensive source of protein, both the whites and yolks of eggs provide the body with quality nutrition. This study investigated egg white and yolk's protective and synergistic effects on immunity and intestinal mucosal barrier function in cyclophosphamide-induced immunosuppressed BALB/c mice. The results showed that egg white, yolk, and whole egg increased the level of cytokines [interleukin (IL)-2, IL-6, IL-10], interferon (INF)-γ and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α in the serum of mice. Also, the administration of egg white, yolk, and whole egg improved humoral immune status by increasing immunoglobulin levels in mice. The expression of CD4+ in the spleen were remarkably upregulated after feeding egg white, egg yolk, or whole egg. However, the whole egg was more effective in recovering damaged spleen and ileal tissues in mice than the egg white or yolk alone.