Melatonin and Androgen Receptor Expression Interplay Modulates Cell‐Mediated Immunity in Tropical Rodent Funambulus pennanti: An In‐Vivo and In‐Vitro Study

An inverse relation exists between melatonin and androgen in most of the seasonally breeding rodents, but the regulation of their receptors in modulation of immune function has never been reported. The present study accessed the expression pattern of melatonin receptor types (mt1R & mt2R), immune parameters (lymphoid organs weight, leucocyte count, delayed type hypersensitivity and lymphocyte proliferation) in spleen and thymus whereas androgen receptor (AR) expression in thymus of Funambulus pennanti during reproductively active phase. In‐vivo melatonin treatment (Mel) and castration (Cx) significantly increased mt1R expression, immune parameters in spleen and thymus but decreased AR expression in thymus only when compared with sham control (Con) squirrels as AR expression was not observed in spleen. Mel alone or in combination with testosterone (T) to Cx squirrels significantly increased mt1R expression, immune parameters in spleen and thymus but decreased AR expression in thymus. T alone in Cx squirrels significantly decreased mt1R expression, immune parameters in spleen and thymus but increased thymic AR expression significantly. In‐vitro thymocyte culture supported our in‐vivo findings. Mel significantly increased mt1R expression, lymphocyte proliferation, IL‐2 secretion but decreased AR expression. T alone significantly decreased aforementioned three parameters but increased AR expression. Combined treatment of Mel and T bring back all parameters to control level. Though we found high mt2R expression, but no significant change has been observed. Thus, present study suggests a clear‐cut trade‐off relation between mt1R and AR expression that might be acting as an important mediator in seasonal adjustment of immune function in tropical rodents.     

红景天总黄酮对自然衰老大鼠抗氧化和免疫功能的影响

目的探讨红景天总黄酮对自然衰老大鼠抗氧化和免疫功能的影响。方法Wistar雄性大鼠40只,分成4组:正常组(健康青年大鼠),自然衰老模型组,和低、高剂量红景天总黄酮组。分别灌胃相应剂量的红景天总黄酮或生理盐水;6周后,Elisa法测定血清SOD、MDA、GSH-Px、IL-2和IL-6,胸腺、脾指数,MTT法检测淋巴细胞转化刺激指数的变化。数据分析采用SPSS软件统计学处理。结果模型组比较正常组,血清SOD、GSH-Px、IL-2含量以及胸腺、脾指数和T、B淋巴细胞增殖能力明显降低,而血清MDA、IL-6含量明显升高;红景天总黄酮可明显提高衰老大鼠血清SOD、GSH-Px、IL-2含量,并使MDA、IL-6含量降低,并明显提高胸腺、脾指数和T、B淋巴细胞增殖能力。结论红景天总黄酮可增强衰老大鼠抗氧化和免疫功能,具有延缓衰老功效。     

Immunomodulatory activity of selenium exopolysaccharide produced by Lactococcus lactis subsp. Lactis

Exopolysaccharide (EPS) was isolated and purified from Lactococcus lactis subsp. Lactis culture and then selenium chloride oxide (SeCl₂O) was added to synthesise selenium-exopolysaccharide (Se-EPS). This study sought to evaluate the immunomodulatory effects of EPS and Se-EPS on the activity of peritoneal macrophages and spleen lymphocytes. In mouse peritoneal macrophages, the EPS and Se-EPS enhanced phagocytosis and increased nitric oxide (NO), IFN-γ, IL-1, IL-6 and IL-12 secretion, but not IL-10 levels. Preliminary in vitro tests revealed that EPS and Se-EPS stimulated mouse spleen lymphocyte proliferation, and strongly improved levels of TNF-α, IL-2 and IL-6 mRNA in spleen cells. These findings indicate that EPS and Se-EPS can enhance the immune response via enhanced macrophage and spleen lymphocyte stimulation. Se-EPS showed stronger immunomodulatory activity than EPS.     

Lymphocyte subsets in distinct lung compartments show a different ability to produce interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) during a pulmonary immune response

Lymphocytes play an important immunoregulatory role in pulmonary immune responses. By releasing cytokines they can control the cell–cell communication of other participating cells. Although it is well established that the lung lymphocytes, localized in distinct compartments, differ in their subset composition, little is known about cytokine production in these compartments during immune responses. Lewis rats were immunized by intravenous administration of sheep erythrocytes on day 0 and day 7 and challenged intratracheally with sheep erythrocytes on day 10. Four days after intratracheal (i.t.) challenge the composition of lymphocyte subsets (CD2⁺, CD4⁺, CD8⁺, B cells, natural killer (NK) cells) in the spleen, blood, lung perfusate, lung tissue and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) was characterized, and intracellular IFN-γ was detected in these subsets by flow cytometry. Comparing control and immunized animals, no changes were found in lymphocyte numbers, subsets or the percentage of IFN-γ-producing lymphocytes in the spleen, blood and lung perfusate. In lung tissue and BALF, however, the absolute number of all lymphocyte subsets and the percentage of IFN-γ-producing lymphocytes were increased. When the lymphocyte subsets were analysed an increased percentage of IFN-γ-producing T cells was found in lung tissue (4.5 ± 0.6% versus 12.8 ± 1.1%) and in BALF (7.8 ± 1.4% versus 14.8 ± 1.9%) of immunized animals opposed to controls, this increase being seen in both CD4⁺ and CD8⁺ cells. Thus, there is an accumulation of T cells with an increased potential to produce IFN-γ in the lung interstitium and the bronchoalveolar space during pulmonary immune responses.     

蝎毒抗癌多肽对X射线照射小鼠免疫功能的影响

目的　研究蝎毒抗癌多肽 (APBMV)对X射线照射小鼠免疫功能的影响 .方法　小鼠 6 0只 ,随机均分为正常对照组、照射对照组、照射中药组共 3组 ,照射中药组采取腹腔灌注APBMV结合X线照射 .观察各组白细胞计数、脾脏指数、胸腺指数及免疫荧光染色法和流式细胞仪测定外周血T淋巴细胞亚群等指标 .结果　照射对照组的白细胞计数、脾脏指数、胸腺指数、CD4、CD8亚群与其它两组比较均明显下降 (p <0 .0 1) ,而照射中药组虽有下降 ,但与正常对照组对比无显著性差异 .结论　APBMV对X射线照射小鼠免疫功能有一定改善及保护作用     

Immunomodulatory potentials of the water-soluble yam (Dioscorea opposita Thunb) polysaccharides for the normal and cyclophosphamide-suppressed mice

Immunomodulatory potentials of water-soluble yam (Dioscorea opposita Thunb) polysaccharides (WYPs) for the normal and immuno-suppressed mice were described in this study. For the normal mice, the WYPs at 500?mg?kg^?1 elevated spleen and thymus indices by 22–42%; promoted macrophages' phagocytosis; lymphocytes' proliferation and natural killer (NK) cell activity by 18–53%; enhanced IL-2 and IFN-γ levels in the splenocytes by 42–45%; raised IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, iNOS and lysozyme levels in the macrophages by 40–219%; and increased serum IgM, IgA and IgG levels by 44–51%. The WYPs could restore and improve immune status of the cyclophosphamide-treated mice, as they at 500?mg?kg^?1 elevated spleen and thymus indices by 85–172%; promoted macrophages' phagocytosis, lymphocytes' proliferation and NK cell activity by 24–98%; enhanced IL-2 and IFN-γ levels in the splenocytes by 44–109% or IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, iNOS and lysozyme levels in the macrophages by 53–287%; and increased the three immunoglobulins by 24–69%.     

CpG ODN对rHBsAg免疫小鼠淋巴细胞增殖反应的影响

目的：进一步探讨以合成含CpG基序的寡核苷酸（CpG ODN）作为免疫增强剂与重组乙型肝炎表面抗原（rHBsAg）联合免疫小鼠,观察其淋巴细胞增殖反应效应.方法：经后腿胫骨前肌初次免疫BALB/c小鼠两周后加强免疫1次;MTT和3H-TdR掺入法分别检测免疫小鼠胸腺及脾脏淋巴细胞增殖反应.结果：加CpG ODN组与单纯注射抗原及疫苗组相比,淋巴细胞增殖反应显著增强.而且,除胸腺特异性增殖中的CpG加疫苗组和疫苗组外,其他各实验组与对照组相比,淋巴细胞增殖反应也都显著增强.结论：CpG ODN能够明显刺激小鼠胸腺及脾脏淋巴细胞增殖反应,显示出强而有效的免疫增强效应,有望成为一种新型的免疫佐剂.     

集聚蛋白在免疫细胞中的表达及其意义

为研究在神经突触中发挥重要作用的突触调节蛋白集聚蛋白是否在免疫细胞中表达并影响淋巴细胞的活化。首先通过RT-PCR、荧光免疫组织化学和FACS分别从mRNA水平和蛋白水平观察集聚蛋白在各种免疫器官、细胞中的表达;通过实时定量PCR检测分析集聚蛋白的表达与淋巴细胞活化的关系;并构建针对集聚蛋白的反义质粒,从而进一步研究下调集聚蛋白的表达对淋巴细胞活化的影响。结果发现集聚蛋白广泛表达于脾脏、胸腺、淋巴结等多种免疫器官中并在T细胞、B细胞、imDC、mDC及巨噬细胞中均有表达,其表达含量与淋巴细胞的活化状态密切相关,且其表达被下调后淋巴细胞的活化显著被抑制。因而组成性表达于各种免疫细胞中的集聚蛋白可被诱导性上调,并参与了淋巴细胞的活化。     

Rachycentron canadum (cobia) Lectin Promoted Mitogenic Response in Mice BALB/c Splenocytes

The mitogenic lectins are invaluable tools to study the biochemical changes associated with lymphocyte activation and proliferation of various immune cells. Rachycentron canadum lectin (RcaL) was detected and purified from serum of cobia fish. The aim of this study was to evaluate the proliferative response and cytokine production in splenocytes of mice in vitro stimulated with RcaL lectin; Canavalia ensiformis lectin (Con A) was used as positive control. A high proliferation index was induced by RcaL in relation to control cells. Furthermore, RcaL induced higher IL‐2 and IL‐6 production in relation to control. The cell viability was 90% in splenocytes treated with RcaL lectin, but RcaL promoted significant late apoptosis after 24 and 48 h in relation to control. RcaL induced proliferative responses suggesting that this lectin can be used as a mitogenic agent in immunostimulatory assays.     

Toxic effects of mercuric sulfide on immune organs in mice

Mercuric sulfide (HgS) is a major component of cinnabar, which has been used as a sedative drug in China for more than 2000 years. Because its toxicological effects are still unclear, we attempted to verify the toxic effects of HgS, focused on liver and immune organs such as the spleen and thymus. Male ICR mice were administered HgS (0.02, 0.2, 2.0?g/kg/day) by gavage for 4 weeks. During the administration period, HgS-treated mice did not reveal overt signs of clinical toxicity. HgS had no significant effect on body weight, food consumption, water consumption, and organ weights. In spite of its known insolubility, HgS was absorbed by the gastrointestinal tract and accumulated in the liver, spleen and thymus in a dose-dependent manner. In the biochemical and histological examination, HgS did not cause hepatotoxicity. However, HgS significantly increased both CD8⁺ T lymphocytes and CD4⁺CD8⁺ lymphocyte populations in the spleen without changing in the thymus. In the histological evaluation, HgS induced enlargement with marked hyperplasia and increase of lymphoid follicles in the spleen. In addition, HgS induced the gene expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines in the spleen and thymus. Our results suggest that insoluble HgS was absorbed by the gastrointestinal tract, accumulated in the spleen and thymus, and thus could affect immune systems.     

Effect of chinese softshell turtle egg powder on immune functions in mice

The effects of whole Chinese soft-shell turtle egg powder (WTE) on immune functions is unknown. Female ICR 6-week-old mice (n=80) were administered for 30 days with 1.125 g·kg^?1 WTE. Spleen and thymus were weighed and spleen lymphocyte proliferation response to concanavalin A (Con A), plaque forming cell(PFC) assay, phagocytosis assay and NK cell activity detection were performed on day 30. Compared to vehicle control, WTE increased the relative weight of spleen (p<0.05). Mice treated with WTE showed increased Con A stimulated lymphocyte proliferation (p<0.05) and PFC (p<0.01). Carbon clearance capacity (p<0.05) and NK cell activity (p<0.01) were also enhanced while a mild improvement was seen in phagocytosis capacity of peritoneal cavity macrophages in WTE treated mice. In conclusion, our data provides evidence of the enhanced effects of WTE in cell-mediated immunity, humoral immunity and NK cell activity in mice.     

香加皮杠柳苷对荷瘤小鼠的免疫调节作用

目的:研究香加皮杠柳苷(CPP)对荷瘤小鼠的免疫调节作用及其作用机制.方法:建立BALB/c小鼠H22皮下移植瘤,观察低、中、高剂量CPP(0.25、0.50、1.00 mg/kg)对荷瘤小鼠免疫器官的影响,应用流式细胞术检测各组小鼠脾T淋巴细胞亚群的分布,应用MTT法检测ConA诱导的小鼠脾淋巴细胞增殖活性,用ELISA试剂盒测定各组荷瘤小鼠血清中细胞因子TNF-α、IL-2和IL-12的含量.结果:对照组荷瘤小鼠的胸腺指数及脾脏指数均明显低于未荷瘤正常小鼠(P<0.05),而CPP组荷瘤小鼠的胸腺指数及脾脏指数较对照组明显增高,甚至高于正常对照组(P<0.05).CPP对荷瘤小鼠体内CD8+T细胞数量无影响,但可明显上调CD3+、CD4+T细胞数及CD4+/CD8+比值,其中CD3+、CD4+细胞百分率与正常小鼠无差别(P>0.05),CD4+/CD8+比值高于正常小鼠(P<0.05).CPP可明显增强ConA诱导的荷瘤小鼠脾淋巴细胞的增殖能力,SI甚至超过正常对照组(P<0.05).不同剂量CPP组小鼠血清中TNF-α、IL-2和IL-12水平均较对照组明显增高(P<0.05),并随剂量增加呈升高趋势,至接近或超过正常小鼠水平.结论:CPP可保护荷瘤小鼠的免疫器官不受损害,并可明显提高CD4+T细胞百分率和CD4+/CD8+比值,增强荷瘤小鼠T细胞增殖能力,促进细胞因子TNF-α、IL-2和IL-12的产生,表明CPP具有显著的免疫增强作用.     

猪苓及猪苓多糖对BBN诱导的膀胱癌大鼠胸腺、脾指数及CD86表达的影响

目的观察猪苓及猪苓多糖(PPS)对BBN诱导膀胱癌过程中对大鼠胸腺、脾指数和膀胱组织免疫细胞浸润及CD86表达的影响,从而探讨其抗肿瘤作用中的免疫学机理。方法用N-丁基-N-4-羟丁基亚硝胺(BBN)和糖精水诱导建立Fisher344大鼠膀胱肿瘤模型,实验分6组即对照组、模型组、PPS组(130 mg.kg-1)及猪苓低、中、高剂量组(剂量分别为50、250、500 mg.kg-1)。用称重法测定大鼠的体质量和胸腺、脾脏质量,计算胸腺指数和脾指数;苏木素-伊红(HE)染色观察各组间质淋巴细胞浸润情况,免疫组化法观察各组大鼠膀胱组织CD86的表达情况。结果模型组大鼠胸腺指数显著降低(P<0.05);PPS组的胸腺指数明显高于模型组(P<0.05),猪苓各组脾指数与模型组比较差异无统计学意义。PPS组、猪苓低剂量和中剂量组淋巴细胞浸润较明显,可见淋巴滤泡形成;PPS组与模型组比较有显著性差异(P<0.05)。模型组膀胱肿瘤组织中CD86弱表达或几乎不表达;PPS组膀胱癌上皮CD86表达明显增强,且癌旁上皮CD86有表达。结论猪苓和PPS可通过影响膀胱癌模型大鼠胸腺、脾指数和膀胱组织及癌旁组织淋巴细胞浸润及CD86表达,PPS的作用更显著,猪苓和PPS参与了抑制肿瘤的发生发展过程。     

不同佐剂的复合黏膜疫苗鼻内免疫小鼠抗弓形虫感染的保护作用

目的比较IFN-γ和蜂胶作为佐剂鼻内免疫小鼠抗弓形虫攻击的能力,探索两种佐剂联合应用的效果。方法将5-6周龄雌性BALB／c小鼠60只随机分为4个组,每组15只,分别用20雌可溶性速殖子抗原（STAg）、20μg STAg＋40μg蜂胶、20μgSTAg＋1000U IFN-γ或20μgSTAg＋40μg蜂胶＋1000UIFN-γ鼻内免疫小鼠2次．间隔14d。末次免疫后第10天,用RH株弓形虫速殖子4×10^4个／只灌胃攻击,逐日观察小鼠存活情况。攻击后第43天处死全部存活小鼠,计算胸腺、脾指数,计数脑、肝组织速殖子。结果STAg＋IFN-γ组、STAg＋蜂胶＋IFN-γ组胸腺、脾指数显著高于STAg组（P〈0．05）;组织内速殖子虫荷显著降低（P〈0．01）,STAg＋IFN-γ组小鼠脑、肝组织减虫率分别为57．00％和79．06％;STAg＋蜂胶＋IFN-γ组小鼠脑、肝减虫率分别为68．30％和79．06％。STAg＋蜂胶组小鼠胸腺、脾指数有升高趋势,组织内速殖子虫荷降低,但与STAg组比较差异无统计学意义。结论在抗弓形虫感染中,IFN-γ、蜂胶＋IFN-γ的佐剂效果优于蜂胶,IFN-γ、蜂胶＋IFN-γ辅助STAg显著提高小鼠胸腺、脾比重,增强机体免疫能力,有效抵抗弓形虫的感染攻击,脑、肝组织速殖子虫荷显著减少。     

Different Effects of Arborinine Alkaloid Obtained from Brazilian Erthela baihensis on Spleen and Thymus Cells Stimulated in Vitro with Different Mitogens

The present study has examined the effects of arborinine, an alkaloid obtained from Erthela bahiensis, a Brazilian plant popularly used as diuretic, antidiabetic, antithermic and expectorant, on the viability and function of immune system cells in vitro using a murine model. Rat spleen and thymus cells were cultured with 10nM, 1µM e 10µM of the drug in the presence or absence of pokeweed (PWM), lipopolysaccharide (LPS), or concanavallin (ConA) mitogens. Cellular proliferation was analyzed by H³‐thymidin uptake after 48 and 72 hr. Our results showed an inhibitory effect of arborinine on splenocytes proliferation under ConA or PWM stimulation and increased apoptosis on splenocytes and thymocytes stimulated with PWM in 24 hr. A decrease was observed on Interferon gamma (IFN-γ) production by ConA- or LPS-stimulated splenocytes in 48 hr and 72 hr and ConA- or PWM-stimulated thymocytes in 72 hr. In contrast, an increase on lymphoproliferation was observed on LPS-stimulated splenocytes and ConA- or PWM-stimulated thymocytes in 48 hr. On this period, apoptosis decreased on LPS- or PWM-stimulated splenocytes and IFN-γ production increased in PWM stimulated thymocytes. Arborinine also induced a decrease on Interleukin-10 production by splenocytes and thymocytes stimulated with ConA or PWM. There was no significant variation on the necrosis rate of the cells treated with arborinine or any change on their viability or function values in the absence of mitogenic stimulus.     

Grass carp transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-beta 1): molecular cloning, tissue distribution and immunobiological activity in teleost peripheral blood lymphocytes

Transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-beta 1) is a potent regulatory cytokine with pleiotropic effects on the immune system. To examine the role of TGF-beta 1 in fish immunity, the full-length cDNA of grass carp TGF-beta 1 was isolated from grass carp spleen. The open reading frame of grass carp TGF-beta1, 1134 bp in length, encodes a 377 amino acid protein. Tissue distribution study by RT-PCR showed TGF-beta 1 mRNA was predominantly expressed in the thymus, head kidney and spleen in grass carp tissues. Moreover, the time-course effect of TGF-beta 1 on peripheral blood lymphocyte proliferation in response to mitogens was evaluated in grass carp. Interestingly, TGF-beta1 induced PBL proliferation while it significantly blocked phytohemagglutinin- or lipopolysaccharide-stimulated PBL proliferation, and TGF-beta 1 mimicked the stimulatory effects of lipopolysaccharide on grass carp MHC I mRNA expression. These results, for the first time, strongly suggest that TGF-beta 1 plays a functional role in lymphocyte proliferation in fish.     

青蒿琥酯对迟发型超敏反应小鼠脾脏T淋巴细胞的免疫调节作用***☆◆

背景：青蒿琥酯是青蒿素低毒、高效的衍生物,具有免疫调节功能,但其具体机制仍需研究阐明。 目的：初步探讨青蒿琥酯对迟发型超敏反应小鼠脾脏T淋巴细胞的免疫调节作用。 方法：建立迟发型超敏反应小鼠模型,40只小鼠随机数字表法均分正常对照组、青蒿琥酯干预组、p-38MAPK抑制剂组、基质对照组进行实验观察。T淋巴细胞转化实验检测小鼠T淋巴细胞增殖水平;Western blot方法检测p38丝裂酶原激活蛋白激酶(p38MAPK)蛋白的活性表达。 结果与结论：局部给药后青蒿琥酯明显减轻迟发型超敏反应小鼠耳肿胀、降低脾指数、抑制刀豆蛋白A诱导的T淋巴细胞增殖;同时减弱p38 MAPK的磷酸化活性表达。提示青蒿琥酯可以有效抑制小鼠迟发型超敏反应,其作用途径可能与抑制p38 MAPK信号通路有关。     

Reaction of different functional zones in mouse thymus and spleen lymphoid tissue to γ-irradiation

It is shown that immune organs respond to single γ-radiation of 6.9 Gy in a cyclic manner. Acute reaction characterized by spontaneous lymphocyte lysis in the thymus and spleen develops on day 1 postirradiation and takes 3 and 7 days, respectively. This is followed by enhancement of thymocyte mitotic activity and migration of young cells to the thymic cortex and splenic lymphoid tissue. Twenty-one day postirradiation lymphoid cell populations in the thymus and spleen recover to 70–90 and 55–70%, respectively. Translated fromByulleten' Eksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 125, No. 4, pp. 381–384, April, 1998     

硒多糖对MCF-7乳腺癌小鼠的抗肿瘤作用研究

目的 探究硒多糖对MCF-7乳腺癌小鼠脾指数、胸腺指数、脾淋巴细胞转化率及SBP-1表达的影响,分析硒多糖对乳腺癌小鼠的抑瘤效果及作用机制。方法 将40只小鼠随机分为4组,每组10只,其中1组作为正常组,其余3组将MCF-7乳腺癌细胞悬液注射于小鼠左侧膈腧穴处建立乳腺癌模型,证明成瘤后予以给药,模型组（予等剂量的生理盐水）,硒多糖用药组（400 mg/kg硒多糖）、联合用药组（50 mg/kg环磷酰胺＋400 mg/kg硒多糖）,连续给药14 d。脱颈处死小鼠,测胸腺指数、脾指数,无菌条件下取脾脏研磨进行体外淋巴细胞培养,检测PHA诱导下的小鼠脾淋巴细胞转化率并应用免疫组化技术检测肿瘤组织中SBP-1的表达情况。结果 与正常组和模型组相比较硒多糖用药组、联合用药组的胸腺指数、脾指数及淋巴细胞转化率明显提高,差异有统计学意义（P＜0.05）;与硒多糖用药组比较联合用药组的胸腺指数、脾指数及淋巴细胞转化率均有所提高,差异有统计学意义（P＜0.05）;与模型组相比硒多糖用药组及联合用药组的SBP-1蛋白表达均有所提高,差异有统计学意义（P＜0.05）;与硒多糖用药组相比联合用药组的SBP-1蛋白表达有所增强,差异有统计学意义（P＜0.05）。结论 硒多糖可以通过改善MCF-7乳腺癌小鼠的免疫功能及增强SBP-1的表达来起到抗肿瘤作用,与环磷酰胺联合用药作用更显著。     

Effect of chronic supplementation with shark liver oil on immune responses of exercise-trained rats

Previous studies have reported that chronic supplementation with shark liver oil (SLO) improves immune response of lymphocyte, macrophage and neutrophil in animal models and humans. In a similar manner, exercise training also stimulates the immune system. However, we are not aware of any study about the association of exercise and SLO supplementation on immune response. Thus, our main goal was to investigate the effect of chronic supplementation with SLO on immune responses of exercise-trained rats. Male Wistar rats were divided into four groups: sedentary with no supplementation (SED, n = 20), sedentary with SLO supplementation (SEDslo, n = 20), exercised (EX, n = 17) and exercised supplemented with SLO (EXslo, n = 19). Rats swam for 6 weeks, 1.5 h/day, in water at 32 ± 1°C, with a load of 6.0% body weight attached to the thorax of rat. Animals were killed 48 h after the last exercise session. SLO supplementation did not change phagocytosis, lysosomal volume, superoxide anion and hydrogen peroxide production by peritoneal macrophages and blood neutrophils. Thymus and spleen lymphocyte proliferation were significantly higher in SEDslo, EX, and EXslo groups compared with SED group (P < 0.05). Gut-associated lymphocyte proliferation, on the other hand, was similar between the four experimental groups. Our findings show that SLO and EX indeed are able to increase lymphocyte proliferation, but their association did not induce further stimulation in the adaptive immune response and also did not modify innate immunity.