Inflammatory bowel disease: an immunological overview

Efficacy of Wogonin in the Production of Immunoglobulins and Cytokines by Mesenteric Lymph Node Lymphocytes in Mouse Colitis Induced with Dextran Sulfate Sodium

We previously examined wogonin, isolated from Scutellaria baicalensis, chemical mediators, and IgE by mesenteric lymph node (MLN) lymphocytes in rats. The present study explores the effect of wogonin on the MLN lymphocyte function of mice given orally at 20 mg/kg for 2 weeks with dextran sulfate sodium (DS)-induced colitis. The results indicate that IgA levels in MLN lymphocytes were high, while IgE was low, in mice given wogonin compared to those given water. Also, fecal IgA concentration of DS in the wogonin group mice was significantly higher than in the DS group. Concentrations of interferon-gamma and interleukin (IL)-2 of T cells by concanavalin A treatment was significantly higher in the wogonin fed group than in the normal group. Activation-induced IL-4, IL-5 and IL-10 secretion was lower in wogonin fed mice compared control mice after DS-induced colitis. For these reasons, we conclude that wogonin can alleviate the inflammation in DS-induced colitis brought about by an abnormal Th(2) response.

Effect of dietary pectin on the production of immunoglobulins and cytokines by mesenteric lymph node lymphocytes in mouse colitis induced with dextran sulfate sodium

The present study explores the dietary effect of pectin on the MLN lymphocyte functions of mice with dextran sulfate sodium (DS)-induced colitis. We found that the immunoglobulin (Ig)A level in mesenteric lymph node (MLN) lymphocytes was high, while the IgE level was lower, in mice fed with pectin than in those fed with cellulose. Interestingly, the fecal IgA concentration of the pectin-fed mice was significantly higher than that of the cellulose-fed mice. The concentrations of interferon-gamma and interleukin (IL)-2 treated with concanavalin A (ConA) were significantly higher in the pectin-fed group than in the cellulose-fed group. Although dietary pectin did not affect the IL-4 and IL-10 levels, the activation-induced IL-4 and IL-10 secretion was lower in MLN cells of the pectin-fed mice than of the cellulose-fed mice following DS-induced colitis. Based on these findings, we propose that the effect of dietary pectin on mice with DS-induced colitis is mediated by the manipulation of Th1 cells. Furthermore, the inhibitory effect of IL-4 and IL-10 by dietary pectin may play an important role in promoting a change in Th1/Th2 balance toward Th1-dominant immunity.