• Journal of Life Science
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• v.25 no.10
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• pp.1156-1163
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• 2015

The present study investigated the immunomodulatory properties of four different medicinal plants in a cyclophosphamide-treated Balb/c mouse model. One of the four plants, Ulmus macrocarpa, showed partial resistance against immune suppression induced by cyclophosphamide. The bark of U. macrocarpa, commonly known as the Chinese elm, has been used as a pharmaceutical material in Korean traditional medicine to treat bacterial inflammation and induce wound healing. In this study, water extract of U. macrocarpa, named DEU-7, was used for its immunomodulating functional activity. DEU-7 increased the weight of the spleen and the number of splenocytes but did not significantly affect the liver, kidney, and thymus in vivo. A splenocyte viability assay confirmed that DEU-7 influenced ex vivo splenocyte survival. DEU-7 also increased the levels of cytokines, such as IL-2 and IL-4, and immunoglobulins, such as IgM, IgG, and IgA. These results indicated that DEU-7 is involved in the activation of T and B lymphocytes. In addition, DEU-7 was able to maintain the production of cytokines, such as TNF-α, IL-12, and IFN-γ, in the condition of cyclophosphamide-induced immune suppression, suggesting that DEU-7 activated innate immune cells, even under immune suppression. We concluded that DEU-7 aids immunological homeostasis, thereby preventing immune suppression, and aids both innate and adaptive immune response by maintaining the levels of various cytokines and immunoglobulins. Consequently, it is worth investigating the potential of DEU-7 as a supplemental source for immune-enhancing agents.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.28 no.12
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• pp.1742-1750
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• 2015

As a novel approach for disease control and prevention, nutritional modulation of the intestinal health has been proved. However, It is still unknown whether branched-chain amino acid (BCAA) is needed to maintain intestinal immune-related function. The objective of this study was to determine whether BCAA supplementation in protein restricted diet affects growth performance, intestinal barrier function and modulates post-weaning gut disorders. One hundred and eight weaned piglets ($7.96{\pm}0.26kg$) were randomly fed one of the three diets including a control diet (21% crude protein [CP], CON), a protein restricted diet (17% CP, PR) and a BCAA diet (BCAA supplementation in the PR diet) for 14 d. The growth performance, plasma amino acid concentrations, small intestinal morphology and intestinal immunoglobulins were tested. First, average daily gain (ADG) (p<0.05) and average daily feed intake (ADFI) (p<0.05) of weaned pigs in PR group were lower, while gain:feed ratio was lower than the CON group (p<0.05). Compared with PR group, BCAA group improved ADG (p<0.05), ADFI (p<0.05) and feed:gain ratio (p<0.05) of piglets. The growth performance data between CON and BCAA groups was not different (p>0.05). The PR and BCAA treatments had a higher (p<0.05) plasma concentration of methionine and threonine than the CON treatment. The level of some essential and functional amino acids (such as arginine, phenylalanine, histidine, glutamine etc.) in plasma of the PR group was lower (p<0.05) than that of the CON group. Compared with CON group, BCAA supplementation significantly increased BCAA concentrations (p<0.01) and decreased urea concentration (p<0.01) in pig plasma indicating that the efficiency of dietary nitrogen utilization was increased. Compared with CON group, the small intestine of piglets fed PR diet showed villous atrophy, increasing of intra-epithelial lymphocytes (IELs) number (p<0.05) and declining of the immunoglobulin concentration, including jejunal immunoglobulin A (IgA) (p = 0.04), secreted IgA (sIgA) (p = 0.03) and immunoglobulin M (p = 0.08), and ileal IgA (p = 0.01) and immunoglobulin G (p = 0.08). The BCAA supplementation increased villous height in the duodenum (p<0.01), reversed the trend of an increasing IELs number. Notably, BCAA supplementation increased levels of jejunal and ileal immunoglobulin mentioned above. In conclusion, BCAA supplementation to protein restricted diet improved intestinal immune defense function by protecting villous morphology and by increasing levels of intestinal immunoglobulins in weaned piglets. Our finding has the important implication that BCAA may be used to reduce the negative effects of a protein restricted diet on growth performance and intestinal immunity in weaned piglets.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.23 no.9
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• pp.1184-1189
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• 2010

This work was conducted to examine the variation of immunoglobulins (Igs) in serum, immune milk, normal milk and colostrum upon implantation of a new Antigen Releasing Device (ARD). The core of each ARD housed an immunostimulating complex (ISCOM) that was made of adjuvant Quil A and type XIII lipase from a Pseudomonas sp. Each ARD was coated with polylactic acid, known as polylactide, that controls antigen release. Twenty lactating Chinese Holstein cows were divided into 2 groups (n = 10): test group and control group. All cows in the test group were implanted with a single injection in the right iliac lymph node with 3 types of ARDs, which were designed to release the antigens at d 0, 14 and 28 post-implantation. Blood and milk samples were collected from both groups, and colostrum samples were also collected from other post-partum cows in the same farm. Concentrations of $IgG_1$, IgA and IgM in whey and serum were measured by sandwich ELISA. The results showed that the $IgG_1$, IgA and IgM concentrations in serum and whey from the test group were higher than from the control group. Among the three Igs measured, the $IgG_1$ concentration in serum was significantly higher at d 40 after ARD implantation, and the $IgG_1$ concentration in whey peaked at d 9, 17 and 30, which corresponded with release of the antigen. Based on Pearson's correlation between Ig concentration and production parameters, IgA concentration in normal milk was positively correlated with lactation period, which reflected IgA changes during the lactation period in immune milk. In colostrum, $IgG_1$, IgA and IgM decreased abruptly from d 0 to 3, and then decreased slightly. In conclusion, serum $IgG_1$ concentration can be affected by controlled release of the ARD, while whey IgA levels are primarily affected by lactation period. These results may be useful in future studies designed to regulate concentrations of Igs in immune milk.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.14 no.8
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• pp.1138-1143
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• 2001

A total of 96 piglets were weaned at 19 and 13 days in Exp. 1 and 2, respectively, and allotted to one of four diets: three with different spray dried plasmas (SPs) and one with hydrolysed casein (HC). SPs were from pigs (SPP), mixed origin (SMP), and mixed origin with standardized level of immunoglobulins (SMPIG). All the diets contained 1.7% total lysine, 25% of the test protein source, 45% corn starch, 15% lactose, 2% sucrose, 7% soybean oil. At d 4 and d 2 in Exp. 1 and 2, respectively, piglets were perorally challenged with $10^{10}$ CFU E. coli K88. Growth performance, immunity, and health condition were measured for 15 days and 14 days in Exp. 1 and 2, respectively. To investigate apparent ileal digestibility and nutrient deposition, all piglets were sacrificed at d 14 in Exp. 2. In 1. 3 piglets died in HC diet and 1 in SPP diet. HC diet showed higher mortality (p<0.01) than other diets. In Exp. 2, no clinical sign of infection was detected, no difference for the content of E. coli K88 was found in feces at 4 and 6 days after the infection, and no E. coli K88 was found in the jejunum at the end of experiment. In both experiments, feed intake was lower for HC diet and ADG was 96, 106, 122 and 155 for HC, SPP, SMP and SMPIG diet, respectively (HC vs others, p<0.05; SMPIG vs other SP, p<0.01). Heal apparent digestibility of nitrogen in sacrificed piglets was higher for HC diet (p<0.05). After the challenge, K88-specific titers in saliva (Exp. 1) and in plasma (Exp. 2) were reduced in SMP and SMPIG. The piglets positive to the adhesion of the used E. coli strain to the intestinal brush borders had a significantly reduced growth (p<0.01) and a higher K88-specific IgA titer in plasma, in comparison with negative ones. This effect was independent of the diet. The data show the relevance of spray dried plasma sources and particularly of SP with standardized level of immunoglobulins for the feeding of early-weaned at the risk of infection by enterotoxigenic bacteria.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.223-229
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• 2013

Because colostrum is considered to be the sole source of passively acquired maternal antibodies for calves, newborn calves must consume colostrum to gain disease resistance during their early years of life. Storage of surplus colostrum from dairy cows right after calving and feeding newborn calves in deficiency of colostrum to assure adequate uptake of IgG for protection of the calf has been a common practice in the bovine production. In the current study, 35 colostrums were randomly collected from 3 colostrum banks located in different regions of Korea and monitored for general bacterial contamination and major bovine pathogens. Immunoglobulin concentrations and BVDV-specific antibodies were also determined to evaluate the immune quality of the colostrums. Moderate to severe bacterial contamination (up to 72,000,000 CFU/ml) was observed in most of the colostrums collected from colostrum banks. General immune quality of the colostrums was under the satisfactory level since most of the colostrums contained less than 50 g/L of IgG, which is the minimum concentration for good quality colostrums. Therefore, colostrum for colostrum bank should be collected at the first 2-3 post-partum milkings according to proper harvesting and handling procedures to guarantee the safety and quality of colostrum. In addition, it was recommended that colostrum should be heat-treated before frozen and stored in the bank because pasteurization at $63^{\circ}C$ for 30 min was very effective reducing the risk of disease transmission without causing significant degradation of immunoglobulins.

• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
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• v.42 no.4
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• pp.307-314
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• 2015

The study was carried out to investigate the effects of by-products of herbal medicines on performance, enteric microflora and blood biochemical profiles and immunological parameters in broiler chicks. A total of ninety-six, 3-d-old birds were assigned to a basal diet (CON) or a basal diet supplemented with 0.15 % (HM1), 0.3% (HM2) or 0.5% (HM3) by-products of herbal medicines. There was a significantly (p<0.05) improved feed conversion ratio (FCR) in birds fed diet supplemented with 0.15% by-products of herbal medicines (HM1) compared with the control birds during starter period (3~21 days). However, no difference in body weight, feed intake, total gain and FCR among treatment groups was observed during the entire feeding period (3~35 days). The colony forming units (CFU) of E. coli and Lactobacilli in the digesta of ileo-cecum was not also affected by dietary treatment. Serum AST (aspartate aminotransferase) and glucose decreased (p<0.05) in birds fed diets supplemented with herbal medicines compared with those fed the basal diet. In particular, the birds fed diets supplemented with herbal medicines showed a significant (p<0.05) increase in blood mean corpuscular volume (MCV) level compared with the control birds. However, the most of blood biochemical and hematological parameters and immunoglobulins (IgG and IgA) were not affected by the dietary treatment. In conclusion, the low level of dietary herbal medicines showed beneficial effects on FCR during starter period and liver functions, suggesting that by-products of herbal medicines may be applicable as functional feed additives in birds.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.61-66
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• 2014

The purpose of this study was to investigate the immunomodulatory effects of Alpina officinarum (AO) ethanol extract on immunocompromised mice. The mice were injected intraperitoneally with an immunosuppressive drug, cyclophosphamide, and then administrated orally with 30, 100, and 300 mg/kg of ethanol extract of AO (AO 30, AO 100, and AO 300, respectively). The concentrations of cytokines and immunoglobulins (IgM, IgA, IgG) in serum were measured. The body weight of the mice and spleen cell number of the AO-fed group showed no significant difference compared to a control group. The concentrations of several cytokines, including IL-2, IFN-${\gamma}$, and TGF-${\beta}$, in serum showed a significant increase in the AO 100 group compared to the control and other groups (p<0.05). The IL-4 level showed no significant difference in the experimental groups. The supplementation of AO (30, 100, 300 mg/kg) significantly increased the concentration of IgM (p<0.05). The concentration of IgA was significantly increased in the AO 100 group (p<0.05) compared to the control group. It can be concluded that AO ethanol extract enhances immune function by promoting the production of cytokines and immunoglobulins.

• Korean Journal of Microbiology
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• v.44 no.4
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• pp.293-298
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• 2008

HCV is transmitted via various plasma derived products. Current methods to detect hepatitis C virus (HCV) are based on its antibody detection in the donated blood and plasma. Viral contamination can potentially escape such detection during the window period of infection, when no antibody is present or the level of antibody is too low to detect. It is trying to application of nucleic acid amplification tests (NAT) for the direct detection of HCV. The objective of this study was to develop a reliable NAT for the HCV RNA detection from plasma-derived products. The most useful primers was selected for NAT among 5 sets of primers. We have also found that QIAamp viral RNA isolation kit was the most efficient for HCV RNA isolation. The highest sensitivity and specificity was appeared in $48^{\circ}C$ annealing temperature and 30 pmol of primers. With a spiking of HCV to albumin, immunoglobulins and coagulation factors, NAT can detect up to 100 IU/ml. Meanwhile, COBAS amplicor HCV 2.0 afforded a lower sensitivity in high concentrated intramuscular immunoglobulins to below 500 IU/ml. Our results suggested that NAT appears to be a highly sensitive and specific method for HCV RNA detection in plasma-derived products.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.52 no.11
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• pp.1283-1285
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• 2009

Macroamylasemia is a benign condition characterized by abnormally large-sized serum amylase; it has been reported to occur in 1-2% of the population. In macroamylasemia, a macromolecular complex consisting of amylase linked to immunoglobulins circulates in the plasma and usually causes hyperamylasemia with low or normal amylasuria. Macroamylasemia is extremely rare in children. We report a case of a 4-year-old girl with abdominal pain and macroamylasemia, who was initially misdiagnosed as having acute pancreatitis. Failure to immediately identify macroamylase as the cause of the unexplained but benign hyperamylasemia can lead to the misdiagnosis of the condition, necessitating costly analyses for ruling out pancreatic disease and unnecessary prescriptions such as fasting and intravenous replacement therapies, as was observed in our patient.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.9 no.3
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• pp.337-340
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• 1996

The role of endogenous somatostatin on lactation in rats was examined by passive immuno-neutralization of Wistar rats. In one study, the rats were given either immunoglobulin raised in sheep against somatostatin, or non-specific sheep immunoglobulins by daily s.c. injection from parturition through the first two weeks of lactation. The growth of the pups was recorded by weighting every second day, and the milk yield calculated from the pup weight and weight gain. Immunoneutralization of maternal somatostatin during pregnancy had a slight effect (p < 0.05) on the mean birth weight of the pups but no subsequent effect on postnatal growth rate of the pups or milk yield ($25.32{\pm}0.88g/day$) compared with young control rats given normal sheep serum ($25.55{\pm}1.04g/day$). Similarly, passive immunization against somatostatin during lactation ($21.96{\pm}1.57g/day$) also did not affect milk yields compared with controls ($24.85{\pm}1.03g/day$). These data do not support a significant role for endogenous somatostatin in regulating milk production in lactating rats.