ovalbumin and dihydroheptaprenol

The effects of two immunostimulators, active egg white product (AEWP) and dihydroheptaprenol (DHP), on involution of lymphoid organs were investigated in mice exposed to heat and cold stress. Heat (37 degrees c, 45 min) and cold (4 degrees C, 4-24 hr for 4 days) stress induced involution of the thymus and/or spleen. AEWP was administered orally at a dose of 500 mg/kg for 4 consecutive days after exposure to heat stress or during cold stress. DHP was injected intramuscularly at a dose of 100 mg/kg on the 4th day after exposure to heat or cold stress. In mice exposed to heat and cold, the ratio of thymus to body weight was significantly higher in the AEWP- and DHP-treated groups as compared to the non-treated group (P < 0.01), also the ratio of spleen to body weight was significantly higher in the DHP-treated group as compared to the non-treated group (P < 0.01). These results showed that AEWP and DHP markedly alleviated involution of the thymus and/or spleen due to heat and cold stress.

Topics: Adjuvants, Immunologic; Animals; Cold Temperature; Hot Temperature; Lymphoid Tissue; Male; Mice; Mice, Inbred BALB C; Mice, Inbred Strains; Ovalbumin; Spleen; Stress, Physiological; Terpenes; Thymus Gland