Enriched feeding formula and immune responses and outcome after Listeria monocytogenes challenge in mice.

Immunocompromised malnourished patients are at high risk of developing serious opportunistic infection. This study examined the effect of feeding a special nutrient-enriched formula (Immun-Aid) on immune responses and mortality in mice challenged with Listeria monocytogenes. Two protocols were followed. In the first protocol, the animals were challenged with microorganisms when the experimental formula was introduced as the sole source of their nutrition. There was no significant effect on total T-lymphocyte number, but the proportion of helper T cells increased by day 7, resulting in a higher helper/suppressor (H/S) T lymphocyte ratio as well. Response to the mitogen phytohemagglutinin (PHA) was slightly higher on day 3 but came down and was comparable with that of control animals by day 7. Natural killer cell activity was slightly higher on day 7. Other immunologic parameters were unchanged. There was no significant difference in mortality between the two groups. In the second protocol, the animals were fed the experimental diet for 7 days before the infectious challenge. There was a slight increase in the total number of T lymphocytes on day 7. The numbers of helper and suppressor T lymphocytes were unchanged, but H/S was slightly higher on day 3 in the experimental group. Response to PHA was again higher on day 3 but plateaued on day 7. Natural killer cell activity was not altered. Mortality after infectious challenge was slightly but significantly decreased in the group of animals fed the enriched special formula. These results indicate a slight enhancement of selected parameters of immunity in mice fed the specially enriched formula and show that prior feeding with this formula for several days may partly protect against infectious challenge, resulting in reduced mortality.     

巫山淫羊藿的化学研究

从小檗科Berberidaceae淫羊藿属Epimedium植物巫山淫羊藿Epimedium wushanense T.S.Ying的地上部分中分得两种黄酮甙单体,经理化性质鉴定及紫外、红外、质谱、氢谱、碳谱等光谱分析,确定甙Ⅰ是新化合物,命名为巫山淫羊藿甙(wushanicariin)。甙Ⅱ是已知化合物淫羊藿甙(icariin),系首次从该种植物中分离。     

High-dose intravenous immunoglobulin downregulates the activated levels of inflammatory indices except erythrocyte sedimentation rate in acute stage of Kawasaki Disease

We evaluated the effects of high-dose intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) administration on various protein parameters, including inflammatory profiles, in children with Kawasaki disease (KD). Sixty-three children with KD were treated with IVIG at 2 g/kg over 12 h. Serial examinations of laboratory indices were performed three times: before IVIG treatment, 24 h after IVIG treatment, and 7 days after IVIG treatment. The white blood cell and neutrophil counts showed significant decreases 24 h and 7 days after IVIG administration. The erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) increased significantly 24 h after IVIG, and the elevated level was sustained for 7 days. The levels of hemoglobin, albumin and inflammation-associated proteins, including C-reactive protein, decreased 24 h after IVIG treatment. Inflammation-associated proteins, except transferrin, decreased further to near normal levels after 7 days. On the other hand, IgM and IgA were not affected after 24 h, rather increased significantly after 7 days. High-dose IVIG causes immediate changes in the levels of various proteins, except IgA and IgM, and downregulates the activated levels of inflammatory indices, except ESR, in the acute stage of KD.