The effect of humic acid on the adhesibility of neutrophils

Immunomodulatory Effects of Natural Feed Additives for Meat Chickens

Broiler chickens are increasingly kept in large numbers in intensive housing conditions that are stressful, potentially depleting the immune system. With the prohibition of the use of antibiotics in poultry feed spreading worldwide, it is necessary to consider the role of natural feed additives and antibiotic alternatives to stimulate the chickens' immune systems. We review the literature to describe phytogenic feed additives that have immunomodulatory benefits in broilers. We initially review the major active ingredients from plants, particularly flavonoids, resveratrol and humic acid, and then describe the major herbs, spices, and other plants and their byproducts that have immunomodulatory effects. The research reviewed demonstrates the effectiveness of many natural feed additives in improving the avian immune system and therefore broiler health. However, some, and perhaps all, additives have the potential to reduce immunocompetence if given in excessive amounts. Sometimes additives are more effective when given in combination. There is an urgent need to determine tolerance levels and optimum doses for additives deemed most suitable to replace antibiotics in the diet of broiler chickens. Effective replacement is most likely with readily available additives, such as olive oil byproducts, olive leaves and alfalfa. It is concluded that effective replacement of antibiotic function with plant-derived additives will be possible, but that further research is necessary to determine optimum doses.

Humic Substances as a Feed Supplement and the Benefits of Produced Chicken Meat

Humic substances with a high proportion of humic acids (more than 40%) have been classified by the European Commission as feed materials that can be used in animal nutrition since 2013. A protective effect on the intestinal mucosa, as well as anti-inflammatory, adsorptive and antimicrobial properties, were recorded. Nutrient absorption, nutritional status and the immune response in chickens supplemented with HSs were significantly improved. HSs have the ability to enhance protein digestion as well as the utilization of calcium and trace elements. They are known to improve feed digestibility as a result of maintaining an optimal pH in the gut, leading to lower levels of nitrogen excretion and less odor in the husbandry environment. HSs not only increase digestibility and result in greater utilization of the feed ration but also improve the overall quality of the meat produced. They increase the protein content and reduce the fat content in breast muscles. They also contribute to improving the sensory characteristics of the meat produced. Their antioxidant properties improve the oxidative stability of meat during storage. The influence of HSs on fatty acid composition may be one of the reasons that meat has a more beneficial effect on the health of consumers.

Antiflammatory activity and potential dermatological applications of characterized humic acids from a lignite and a green compost

Long-term exposure to air pollution has been associated with the development of some inflammatory processes related to skin. The goal of modern medicine is the development of new products with antiflammatory action deriving from natural sources to improve environmental and economic sustainability. In this study, two different humic acids (HA) were isolated from from lignite (HA-LIG) and composted artichoke wastes (HA-CYN) and characterized by infrared spectrometry, NMR spectroscopy, thermochemolysis-GC/MS, and high-performance size-exclusion chromatography (HPSEC), while their antiflammatory activity was evaluated on HaCaT cells. Spectroscopic results showing the predominance of apolar aliphatic and aromatic components in HA-LIG, whereas HA-CYN revealed a presence of polysaccharides and polyphenolic lignin residues. The HA application on human keratinocyte pre-treated with Urban Dust revealed a general increase of viability suggesting a protective effect of humic matter due to the content of aromatic, phenolic and lignin components. Conversely, the gene expression of IL-6 and IL-1β cytokines indicated a significant decrease after application of HA-LIG, thus exhibiting a greater antiflammatory power than HA-CYN. The specific combination of HA protective hydrophobic components, viable conformational arrangements, and content of bioactive molecules, suggests an innovative applicability of humic matter in dermatology as skin protectors from environmental irritants and as antiflammatory agents.

The effects of humic water on endothelial cells under hyperglycemic conditions: inflammation-associated parameters

Humic waters (HW) are globally unique, deep underground, dark-brown waters containing humic acids, and they present numerous therapeutic activities including anti-inflammatory. In the present study, we use HW from source in Poland. Diabetes has become an epidemic and is a risk factor of cardiovascular diseases. Hyperglycemia in diabetes is responsible for damaging of the endothelium and increases inflammation on the surface of the vascular lining. The inflammatory process in diabetes is associated with the secretion of inflammatory cytokines by endothelial cells, e.g., tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα) and interleukin 6 (IL-6), and with the reduction of cell proliferation. In the study, we used cultures of endothelial cells (HUVEC line-human umbilical vein endothelial cells) with the addition 30 mM/L of glucose in the culture medium which imitated the conditions of uncontrolled diabetes. The addition of HW in the proper volume to the culture medium causes reduction of inflammation by significant decrease in inflammatory cytokines such as TNFα and IL-6 and also leads to enhancement of the cell proliferation. It appears that the adverse effects of hyperglycemia on vascular endothelial cells may be corrected by addition of humic water. The above promising results of in vitro tests provide an opportunity to the possible use of humic water in the supportive treatment of endothelial dysfunction disorders in diabetes. However, this issue requires further clinical research.

The Antiinflammatory Properties of Humic Substances: A Mini Review

Humic substances are effective in the suppression of delayed type hypersensitivity, rat paw oedema, a graft-versus-host reaction and contact hypersensitivity in rats. They reduce the C-reactive protein levels of patients suffering from osteoarthritis of the knee and the wheel and flare reaction of patients suffering from hay fever. They have also been described as cardioprotective and pro-angiogenic. Toxicity studies have indicated that potassium humate is safe in humans up to a daily dosage of 1 g/kg, whereas fulvic acid is safe in humans up to a daily dosage of 1.8 g per adult. The antiinflammatory action of potassium humate can be contributed to the inhibition of the release of inflammatory-related cytokines, an adhesion molecule, oxidants and components of the complement system.

Humic acid and glucan: protection against liver injury induced by carbon tetrachloride

Humic acids (HAs) have a rather pleiotropic presence, however, their biological effects are still unclear. In this study, we focused on possible hepatoprotective effects of either HA alone or in combination with β-glucan. Using a model of experimental hepatotoxicity caused by carbon tetrachloride (CCL4), we showed that both HA and the glucan-HA combination offered significant protection against hepatotoxicity, with the combination offering superior effects. Our biochemical observations were confirmed by histological evaluation. Based on the experimental data, we conclude that whereas HA has significant effects, the synergy with glucan offers superior effects.

Glucan and humic acid: synergistic effects on the immune system

Humic acids are compounds resulting from decomposition of organic matter. Despite their common presence, our knowledge of their biological effects is limited, and current findings are controversial. We decided to evaluate the immunological effects of two different types of humic acids, differing in source and biochemical characteristics. Using both components either alone or in combination with the well-established yeast-derived immunomodulator glucan, we measured their effects on both the cellular (phagocytosis and tumor suppression) and humoral (antibody production and cytokine secretion) branches of immune reactions. In summary, our results suggest that humic acids are biologically active immunodulators affecting both the humoral and cellular branches of immune reactions. In addition, the two humic acids studied here are working in synergy in stimulation of the immune reaction, supporting further studies of these natural immunomodulators.

Characterization of humic substances of different origin by means of mass spectrometry and neural networks

Mass spectrometry fingerprinting of humic acids extracted from different soils has been carried out using laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry (LDI-TOF MS). LDI-TOF MS provides characteristic mass spectra fingerprints for the humic acids of different origin. The information given in the fingerprints was evaluated for natural grouping trends in the samples by neural networks computing tools, such as self-organizing feature map (SOFM). This approach is efficient for recognizing patterns in the humic acids samples independently of their characteristic variability; variability characterizing natural products such as humic substances. The use of multi-layer perceptron artificial neural networks gave a successful classification of the samples.

Cilostazol suppresses adhesion of human neutrophils to HUVECs stimulated by FMLP and its mechanisms

The interaction between neutrophils and endothelial cells (ECs) is of great importance in many physiological and pathological progresses. Although cilostazol (CLZ), a novel selective phosphodiesterase (PDE) type 3 inhibitor, has been proved to be useful in vasodilatation and inhibition of platelet aggregation, its effect on adhesion is not clearly known. In this study, we examined the effects and investigated the mechanisms of cilostazol on neutrophil adhesion to human umbilical endothelial cells (HUVECs) triggered by N-formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylal-anine (FMLP), a chemotactic peptide. The soluble vascular cell adhesive molecule-1 (sVCAM-1) release from FMLP (10 microM)-stimulated HUVECs was determined by ELISA kits. Fluo-2, a fluorescent indicator, was used to investigate intracellular free calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i) in HUVECs. HL-60 cells were induced to be neutrophilic by DMSO and loaded with Fluo-3, another fluorescent indicator, to detect [Ca2+]i, and CLA was used as a chemiluminescent indicator to determine superoxide production in neutrophilic cells. The result showed that CLZ (1-100 microM) significantly inhibited neutrophil adhesion to FMLP-stimulated HUVECs. In HUVECs, CLZ obviously downregulated sVCAM-1 level, while it had no meaningful influence [Ca2)]i. But in neutrophils, FMLP-activated superoxide generation and [Ca2+]i increase were found being inhibited by exposure to CLZ . Furthermore, we also demonstrated that Ca2+ increase was preceded to the superoxide generation in neutrophils. The results suggest that CLZ involves in adhesion reactions between neutrophil and ECs, partly via VCAM-1 expression in ECs, and decreasing [Ca2+]i induced activation of neutrophils, which means a lot to prevent atherosclerosis and other cardiovascular diseases.

Effects of humic acid on broiler chickens

In view of the alleged effect of humic acid (HA) on growth plate arthrosis in humans, we sought to find if poultry tibial dyschondroplasia (TD) is caused by HA that can occur as a ground water contaminant. In 2 separate trials, broiler chickens were fed different concentrations of HA added to their diet for 4 and 5 wk. The effects of these treatments were measured by general health indices such as growth, feed conversion ratio, relative organ weights, blood differential count, serum chemistry, TD index, and bone biomechanical strength. Humic acid treatment decreased BW but appeared to improve feed conversion ratio. There was no effect on TD index or bone biomechanical strength in HA-treated birds compared with controls. There was no toxic effect of HA that was evident by the absence of any dramatic change in relative organ weights or other telltale signs of serum clinical chemistry that would suggest liver, muscle, or kidney dysfunction. Red blood cell, white blood cell, monocyte, and hematocrit values were not affected, but there was a decrease in blood heterophil counts and heterophil to lymphocyte ratio, which was significant in 4-wk HA-treated birds. Overall these results show that HA slows down growth, but it does not have any adverse health effects on chickens.

Blackfoot disease and arsenic: a never-ending story

Blackfoot disease (BFD) is an endemic peripheral vascular disease confined to the southwestern coast of Taiwan. This article reviews the epidemiology, clinical manifestations and diagnosis, pathology, etiology and pathogenesis of this disease. Sporadic cases of BFD occurred as early as in the early 20th century, and peak incidence was noted between 1956 and 1960, with prevalence rates ranging from 6.51 to 18.85 per 1,000 population in different villages. Typical clinical symptoms and signs of progressive arterial occlusion mainly found in the lower extremities, but in rare cases, the upper extremities might also be involved. Ulceration, gangrene and spontaneous or surgical amputation were typical fate. An extensive pathological study concluded that 30% of the BFD patients had histologic lesions compatible with thromboangiitis obliterans and 70% showed changes of arteriosclerosis obliterans. Epidemiologic studies carried out since mid-20th century revealed that BFD was associated with the consumption of inorganic arsenic from the artesian wells. Recent studies confirmed the existence of preclinical peripheral vascular disease, subclinical arterial insufficiency and defects in cutaneous microcirculation in the residents of the endemic villages. A more recent study suggested that the methylation capacity of arsenic can interact with arsenic exposure in the development of peripheral vascular disease among residents of BFD-endemic areas. The incidence of BFD decreased dramatically after the implementation of tap water in these villages over the past 2-3 decades. The atherogenicity of arsenic could be associated with its effects of hypercoagulability, endothelial injury, smooth muscle cell proliferation, somatic mutation, oxidative stress, and apoptosis. However, its interaction with some trace elements and its association with hypertension and diabetes mellitus could also explain part of its higher risk of developing atherosclerosis. Although humic substances have also been suggested as a possible cause of BFD, epidemiologic studies are required to confirm its etiologic role.

Neutrophil cell signaling in infection: role of phosphatidylinositide 3-kinase

Neutrophils play a pivotal role in the innate immune response to microbial pathogens. They are uniquely suited to this role by virtue of specialized antimicrobial capabilities that include the capacity to sense minute amounts of microbial products and inflammatory mediators, to move to the site of infection, and finally to bind, internalize and kill the pathogens. To optimize host defense capabilities while minimizing damage to host tissues ('collateral damage'), these microbicidal responses must be tightly regulated. Additionally, neutrophils clear inflammatory debris, a process that is necessary for restoration of the native architecture and function of the tissue. This review highlights some recent advances in our knowledge of cell signaling as it pertains to neutrophil function, with specific emphasis on the role of the phosphatidylinositide 3-kinase in antimicrobial function.