Open AccessEvaluation of immunomodulatory effects of nisin‐containing diets on mice
Author(s) -
Pablo Manuel A,
Gaforio José J,
Gallego Aurelia M,
Ortega Elena,
Gálvez Antonio M,
Alvarez de Cienfuegos López Gerardo
Publication year - 1999
Publication title -
fems immunology & medical microbiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1574-695X
pISSN - 0928-8244
DOI - 10.1111/j.1574-695x.1999.tb01262.x
Subject(s) - nisin , biology , immune system , monocyte , lymphocyte , cd8 , phagocytosis , medicine , endocrinology , immunology , andrology , pharmacology , microbiology and biotechnology , antimicrobial
The effect of nisin on the immune response of mice was studied. Nisin (in the form of the commercial preparation Nisaplin) was incorporated in the diet of experimental mice which were fed for 30, 75 or 100 days. Short‐term administration of diets containing Nisaplin induced an increase of both CD4 and CD8 T‐lymphocyte cell counts and also a decrease of B‐lymphocyte counts. After prolonged diet administration, T‐cell counts returned to control levels. Normal levels of B‐lymphocytes were also reached after prolonged administration of the lower (but not the higher) Nisaplin concentration. The macrophage/monocyte fraction isolated from peripheral blood became significantly increased after long‐term administration (100 days) of Nisaplin‐containing diets in a concentration‐dependent way. Although the number of peritoneal cells was not affected by the diets, the phagocytic activity of peritoneal cells decreased after prolonged administration of low (but not high) Nisaplin doses.