Polyphenolic antioxidants enhance IgE production

Chlorogenic Acid Alleviates Allergic Inflammatory Responses Through Regulating Th1/Th2 Balance in Ovalbumin-Induced Allergic Rhinitis Mice

BACKGROUND Allergic rhinitis (AR) is a prevalent atopic disorder caused by immune imbalance. Chlorogenic acid (CGA) has antibacterial, antiviral, antioxidative and immunoregulatory effects, but its role in anaphylactic disease remains unclear. The current study aimed to investigate the function of CGA in AR. MATERIAL AND METHODS AR mice models were induced with ovalbumin (OVA) by orally administrating the mice with 50 mg/kg (L-CGA), 100 mg/kg (M-CGA), or 200 mg/kg (H-CGA) of CGA. The number of nasal rubbings and sneezes was recorded. Afterward, the mice were sacrificed for the collection of blood, nasal lavage fluid (NALF), and nasal tissues. The cells in NALF were counted by hemocytometer and stained by Diff-Quick. Nasal mucosa was observed by H&E staining. ELISA testing was conducted for detecting the levels of anti-OVA antibodies and Th1/Th2-related cytokine. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction experiments were conducted to determine mRNA expressions of Th1/Th2-related cytokines. RESULTS In the OVA-induced AR mice, CGA treatment reduced nasal rubbing and sneezing, and also suppressed the number of total cells, eosinophils, neutrophils, lymphocytes, macrophages, and epithelial cells in NALF. OVA-induced up-regulation of nasal mucosa thickness was inhibited by CGA, and the effects of OVA on IgE, IgG1, and IgG2a were reversed by CGA. The regulatory effects of OVA on mRNA expressions and levels of Th1/Th2-related cytokines were abolished by CGA treatment in AR mice. CONCLUSIONS CGA can alleviate allergic inflammatory responses through regulating Th1/Th2 balance in OVA-induced allergic rhinitis mice.

Effects of dietary ramie level on growth performance, serum biochemical indices, and meat quality of Boer goats

This study was conducted to evaluate the use of ramie as forage on growth performance, serum biochemical indices, and meat quality of Boer goats. For this, 60 Boer lambs were divided into four groups fed the TMR with 0%, 10%, 20%, and 40% (control, and groups I, II, III, respectively) ramie. The experiment lasted for 90 days with a pretest for 15 days. Venous blood and longissimus dorsi (LD) muscle samples were collected after 24 h fasted at the end of the experiment. The results showed that ramie seems no significant changes in average daily gain (ADG) and other parameters for growth performance, only 40% ramie in TMR significantly reduced average daily feed intake (ADFI) (P < 0.05). Compared to the control, group II (20%) showed significant increases in total protein (TP) and globulin (GLB) levels, and decreases in albumin/globulin level (P < 0.05) in serum. Meanwhile, serum total cholesterol (TC) (P < 0.05) and free thyroxine (FT4) level were significantly reduced with up to 20% or more ramie in TMR. Moreover, the total amino acid and flavor amino acid levels in LD muscle were not affected by ramie. However, significant increases (P < 0.05) were observed in linoleic acid, polyunsaturated fatty acid, and polyunsaturated fatty acid/saturated fatty acid levels in group II. Overall, these results indicated that up to 20% ramie in TMR have no impairment in growth performance, health and meat quality, whereas high level ramie might have a negative effect on feed intake.

Chlorogenic acid decreases intestinal permeability and increases expression of intestinal tight junction proteins in weaned rats challenged with LPS

Chlorogenic acid, a natural phenolic acid present in fruits and plants, provides beneficial effects for human health. The objectives of this study were to investigate whether chlorogenic acid (CHA) could improve the intestinal barrier integrity for weaned rats with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) challenge. Thirty-two weaned male Sprague Dawley rats (21±1 d of age; 62.26±2.73 g) were selected and randomly allotted to four treatments, including weaned rat control, LPS-challenged and chlorogenic acid (CHA) supplemented group (orally 20 mg/kg and 50 mg/kg body). Dietary supplementation with CHA decreased (P<0.05) the concentrations of urea and albumin in the serum, compared to the LPS-challenged group. The levels of IFN-γ and TNF-α were lower (P<0.05) in the jejunal and colon of weaned rats receiving CHA supplementation, in comparison with the control group. CHA supplementation increased (P<0.05) villus height and the ratio of villus height to crypt depth in the jejunal and ileal mucosae under condictions of LPS challenge. CHA supplementation decreased (P<0.05) intestinal permeability, which was indicated by the ratio of lactulose to mannitol and serum DAO activity, when compared to weaned rats with LPS challenge. Immunohistochemical analysis of tight junction proteins revealed that ZO-1 and occludin protein abundances in the jejunum and colon were increased (P<0.05) by CHA supplementation. Additionally, results of immunoblot analysis revealed that the amount of occludin in the colon was also increased (P<0.05) in CHA-supplemented rats. In conclusion, CHA decreases intestinal permeability and increases intestinal expression of tight junction proteins in weaned rats challenged with LPS.

Evaluation of the potential sensitization of chlorogenic Acid: a meta-analysis

Chlorogenic acid (CGA) widely exists in many plants, which are used as medicinal substances in traditional Chinese medicine injectables (TCMIs) that have been widely applied in clinical treatments. However, it is still controversial whether CGA is responsible for TCMIs-related hypersensitivity. Several studies have been performed to evaluate its potential sensitization property, but the results were inconclusive. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate its potential sensitization systematically using meta-analysis based on data extracted from literatures, searching databases of PubMed, EMBASE, ISI Web of Knowledge, CNKI, VIP, and CHINAINFO from January 1979 to October 2012, a total of 108 articles were retrieved by electronic search strategy, out of which 13 studies met the inclusion criteria. In ASA test, odds ratio of behavior changes was 4.33 (1.62, 11.60), showing significant changes after CGA treatment (P = 0.004). Serum IgG, serum histamine, PLN cellularity, and IgG1 AFCs were significantly enhanced after CGA treatment (P < 0.05). Totally, these results indicated that CGA could induce a positive reaction in potential sensitization, and intravenous administration of it might be a key factor for sensitization triggering, which could at least warrant more careful application of TCMIs containing CGA in clinical practices.

Ferulic Acid, an Angelica sinensis-Derived Polyphenol, Slows the Progression of Membranous Nephropathy in a Mouse Model

Membranous nephropathy (MN) is a leading cause of adult nephrotic syndrome but lacks adequate treatment. Different extracts of Angelica sinensis (AS) and one of its active compounds, ferulic acid (FA), were used to evaluate the therapeutic effects in a MN mouse model. The MN model was grouped into three subgroups: no treatment (N-T), treatment at induction of MN (Pre-T), and treatment after full-blown MN (Post-T). The results showed that the methanol (ME) layer of AS extract exhibited a therapeutic effect on MN-induced proteinuria. The ME layer-enriched compound, FA, improved the hypoalbuminemia, hyperlipidemia, and proteinuria in both Pre-T and Post-T groups. Ferulic acid also reduced the formation of oxidative protein products and increased the synthesis of antioxidant enzymes in groups Pre-T and Post-T. Regarding angiogenesis factors, the antiangiogenic factors in renal glomeruli were increased in group N-T, but, after FA treatment, only one of the antiangiogenic factors, thrombospondin-1, showed a significant decrease. Furthermore, the expression of Th2 predominant showed significant decrease in both Pre-T and Post-T groups when compared to that of N-T group. In summary, FA retarded the progression of MN, and the mechanisms involved the regulation of oxidative stresses, angiogenic and antiangiogenic factors, and attenuation of Th2 response.

Gene expression influences on metal immunomodulation

Heavy metals in the environment originate from both human activities and natural processes. Exposure to these metals can result in important changes to immune activity. Depending on the metal and dose, these changes can result in enhanced immune function, diminished immune responses, or altered responses that produce autoimmune disease. One of the intriguing aspects of these various phenomena are the multiple points of interaction with cellular machinery at which metals elicit these changes. The individual sections of this review serve to underscore the variety of targets that can be altered by exposure to heavy metals, and provide some comparisons between the effects of specific heavy metals on the immune system. These observations may ultimately lead us to a comprehensive understanding of the mechanisms by which metals alter the immune system, and may enable the development of countermeasures to offset these effects.