Abstract
The gastrointestinal tract epithelium plays an important role not only in digestion and absorption of nutrients, but also in antigen and pathogen signal translocation toward the gut associated lymphoid tissue. Malnutrition in various degrees is recognized as the most common cause of the immune system dysfunction. Research done in the past several years has revealed that dietary nucleotides (dNT) represent an essential compound of nutrition because of their importance in metabolic pathways, energetic processes and nucleic acid synthesis during tissue renewal. Much evidence accumulated suggests that dNT are essential for the growth and maturation of the gut epithelia. In previous experiments we have documented immunoregulative properties of dNT-containing extracts. In this study Balb/c female mice were fed (1) standard diet, (2) dNT-supplemented diet, and (3) dNT-supplemented water for 4 weeks. The supplement in dose of 100 mg/kg/l comprised original extract (Imuregen, Uniregen Ltd., Náchod, Czech Republic). Samples of terminal ileum in each dietary group were removed for histological examination. The length of villi was evaluated by computer morphometry. The highest growth of intestinal villi was observed in group administered dNT-supplemented water. We have found no pathological changes of intestinal epithelium in any experimental group.
Highlights
Epithelium of the gatrointestinal tract besides its important role in digestion and absorption of nutrients is involved in spreading of antigenic and pathogenic signals to gut associated lymphatic tissue
Recent papers solving the relationship of immune system and dietary nucleotides conclude that food oligo- and polynucleotides represent one of the most important component of nutrition regarding their meaning for a lot of metabolic and energetic processes in human body [14]
We found neither pathological changes in morphology of intestinal villi in any experimental group nor significant differences in percentual ratio of enterocytes and goblet cells in histological sections stained by hematoxylin-eosin or according to Halle-Müller
Summary
Epithelium of the gatrointestinal tract besides its important role in digestion and absorption of nutrients is involved in spreading of antigenic and pathogenic signals to gut associated lymphatic tissue. The immune system, in order to develop properly and to overcome infections without complications, demands increased supply of some substances which are present in current diet, not in sufficient quantities. These are preferably dietary nucleotides, their consumption reaches such levels that they become essential in above mentioned situations. The body is able to use them directly from food without energetically demanding synthesis de novo Their insufficient supply by food may result in dysbalance of immune functions, it may be reflected in dysfunction of liver, heart, and gut. It may manifest as developmental retardation of central nervous system, immune system and disorders of general growth [4,8]
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