ovalbumin and Weight-Loss

To date, few studies have been conducted on the relationship between postbiotics and air pollution, and there is limited knowledge if postbiotic and probiotic have synergistic effects. Therefore, we created a PM-induced lung inflammation mice model and demonstrated the effect of probiotic, postbiotic, and their combination treatment on attenuation of PM2.5-induced lung damage and allergic response. The mice were intratracheally given PM2.5 triggering conditions of acute lung damage and allergic response. Our results showed that individual treatment of probiotic and postbiotic reduced body weight loss by 47.1% and 48.9%, but the results did not show any effect on polarizing IFN-γ/IL-4 ratio. In addition, PM2.5-induced overactive expression of IgE treated by probiotic and postbiotic was reduced by 33.2% and 30.4%, respectively. While combination treatment of probiotic and postbiotic exerted a synergistic effect, especially considerably on improving IgE reduction by 57.1%, body weight loss by 78.3%, and IFN-γ/IL-4 ratio boost by 87.5%. To sum up the above functionality, these research findings may help establish a novel platform for postbiotic application, formulation, and mechanistic selection with regard to PM2.5-induced lung injury. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: Allergic inflammation caused by PM2.5 is not like common allergens (ex. Pollens, ovalbumin, dust mites), which simply skewing Th1/Th2 polarization to Th2. Thus using probiotics screened by Th1-skewing criteria might not be the best choice to treat on PM2.5-induced symptoms. This research proposed a combination of probiotics and postbiotics on modulating immunity homeostasis, and consequently attenuating complications of PM2.5-induced lung damage. These research findings may help establish a novel platform for postbiotic application, formulation and mechanistic selection with regard to PM2.5-induced lung injury.

Topics: Animals; Cytokines; Hypersensitivity; Immunoglobulin E; Interleukin-4; Lung; Lung Injury; Mice; Mice, Inbred BALB C; Ovalbumin; Particulate Matter; Pneumonia; Probiotics; Weight Loss

Studies suggest that exercise can improve vaccination responses in humans. Chronic stress can lead to immunosuppression, and there may be a role for exercise in augmenting immune responses.. To investigate the effects of acute eccentric exercise (ECC) and voluntary wheel exercise training (VWR) on antibody and cell-mediated immune responses to vaccination in chronically stressed mice. We hypothesized that both ECC and VWR would attenuate chronic stress-induced reductions in vaccination responses.. Mice were randomized into four groups: control (CON), stress (S)-ECC, S-VWR, and S-sedentary (SED). Stressed groups received chronic restraint stress for 6 h·d, 5 d·wk for 3 wk. After the first week of stress, S-ECC were exercised at 17 m·min speed at -20% grade for 45 min on a treadmill and then intramuscularly injected with 100 μg of ovalbumin (OVA) and 200 μg of alum adjuvant. All other groups were also vaccinated at this time. Stress-VWR mice voluntarily ran on a wheel for the entire experiment. Plasma was collected before, and at 1, 2, and 4 wk postvaccination. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was performed to analyze anti-OVA IgG and IgM antibodies. After 3 wk of chronic stress, all mice were injected with OVA into the ear to determine the delayed-type hypersensitivity.. We found that chronic restraint stress significantly reduced body weight and caused adrenal hypertrophy. We also found both S-ECC and S-VWR groups had significantly elevated anti-OVA IgG (P < 0.05), whereas no significant differences between the two exercise groups. Neither S-ECC nor S-VWR altered anti-OVA IgM or delayed-type hypersensitivity responses compared with S-SED group.. Acute eccentric exercise and voluntary exercise training alleviated the chronic stress-induced anti-OVA IgG reductions in vaccination responses.

Topics: Adrenal Glands; Animals; Hypertrophy; Immunity, Cellular; Immunoglobulin G; Immunoglobulin M; Male; Mice, Inbred C57BL; Models, Animal; Organ Size; Ovalbumin; Physical Conditioning, Animal; Random Allocation; Spleen; Stress, Psychological; Vaccination; Weight Loss

Current vaccines for influenza do not fully protect the aged against influenza infection. Although wolfberry (goji berry) has been shown to improve immune response, including enhanced antibody production, after vaccination in the aged, it is not known if this effect would translate to better protection after influenza infection, nor is its underlying mechanism well understood. To address these issues, we conducted a study using a 2 × 2 design in which aged male mice (20-22 mo) were fed a control or a 5% wolfberry diet for 30 d, then immunized with an influenza vaccine or saline (control) on days 31 and 52 of the dietary intervention, and finally challenged with influenza A/Puerto Rico/8/34 virus. Mice fed wolfberry had higher influenza antibody titers and improved symptoms (less postinfection weight loss) compared with the mice treated by vaccine alone. Furthermore, an in vitro mechanistic study showed that wolfberry supplementation enhanced maturation and activity of antigen-presenting dendritic cells (DCs) in aged mice, as indicated by phenotypic change in expression of DC activation markers major histocompatibility complex class II, cluster of differentiation (CD) 40, CD80, and CD86, and functional change in DC production of cytokines interleukin-12 and tumor necrosis factor-α as well as DC endocytosis. Also, adoptive transfer of wolfberry-treated bone marrow DCs (loaded with ovalbumin(323-339)-peptide) promoted antigen-specific T cell proliferation as well as interleukin-4 and interferon-γ production in CD4(+) T cells. In summary, our data indicate that dietary wolfberry enhances the efficacy of influenza vaccination, resulting in better host protection to prevent subsequent influenza infection; this effect may be partly attributed to improved DC function.

Topics: Adjuvants, Immunologic; Animals; Antibodies; B7-1 Antigen; B7-2 Antigen; Bone Marrow; CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes; CD40 Antigens; Cytokines; Dendritic Cells; Dietary Supplements; Endocytosis; Fruit; Genes, MHC Class II; Immunization; Influenza A virus; Influenza Vaccines; Lycium; Male; Mice; Mice, Inbred C57BL; Orthomyxoviridae Infections; Ovalbumin; Peptide Fragments; Phytotherapy; Plant Preparations; Weight Loss

The prevalence of food allergy is rising in the western world. Allergen restriction is the chosen treatment in this condition, but continuous ingestion of the antigen has shown positive results in clinical trials. In a previous study, we have shown several allergic and metabolic alterations after 7 days of ovalbumin (OVA) ingestion by sensitized mice. The aim of this study was to investigate whether prolonged ingestion of antigen by sensitized mice would reverse the metabolic consequences caused by experimental food allergy. For this, allergic and metabolic parameters were analysed after prolonged ingestion of an OVA diet by OVA-sensitized mice. As shown previously, after 7 days of OVA consumption, sensitized mice showed increased serum levels of anti-OVA immunoglobulin (Ig)E and IgG1, aversion to the antigen ingestion, marked body and adipose tissue weight loss, followed by adipose tissue inflammation and decreased serum levels of adipokines, glucose and triglycerides. However, after 14 days of oral challenge, sensitized mice showed an anti-OVA IgE level similar to the mice that were only sensitized, but the specific IgG1 did not change. With this prolonged ingestion of OVA, sensitized mice were protected from OVA-induced anaphylaxis when the antigen was given systemically at a dose of 2 mg/animal. Moreover, various parameters analysed were significantly ameliorated, including adipose tissue inflammation, body and adipose tissue loss, as well as serum levels of adipokines and triglycerides. Therefore, our data suggest that prolonged ingestion of OVA by sensitized mice results in an improvement of the metabolic consequences caused by experimental food allergy.

Topics: Adipose Tissue; Anaphylaxis; Animal Feed; Animals; Food Hypersensitivity; Glucose; Immunization; Immunoglobulin E; Male; Mice; Mice, Inbred BALB C; Ovalbumin; Weight Loss

Repeated challenges of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) could reduce the expression of proinflammatory cytokines in vitro, and oral administration of ovalbumin (OVA) induces mucosal tolerance in vivo. However, the effect of local administration of LPS and OVA on experimental colitis in vivo remains unknown.. This study was performed to elucidate the effect of rectal administration of LPS and OVA on an acute murine colitis induced by dextran sulfate sodium (DSS).. BALB/c mice were rectally administered LPS with or without OVA followed by 3% DSS. Colitis was assessed by disease activity index (DAI) including weight loss, stool consistency and rectal bleeding, and histopathology. Primary colon epithelial cells were isolated and the expression of Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) was examined using the Western blot analysis. IL-6, IFN-γ and IL-10 mRNA levels in colonic tissue were assessed using real-time RT-PCR.. LPS administration significantly attenuated the severity of acute DSS-induced colitis as assessed by DAI and histopathologic scoring compared with the control group. Combined treatment of LPS and OVA restored body weight loss and further ameliorated the severity of acute DSS colitis. LPS pretreatment regardless of OVA administration decreased TLR4 expression. LPS and OVA pretreatment reduced IL-6 and IFN-γ mRNA expression and increased IL-10 mRNA expression compared with controls.. Rectal administration of LPS attenuated acute murine colitis, possibly through TLR4 down-regulation, and combined treatment of OVA additionally ameliorated colonic inflammation associated with up-regulation of IL-10.

Topics: Administration, Rectal; Animals; Colitis; Colon; Dextran Sulfate; Feces; Female; Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage; Immune Tolerance; Interferon-gamma; Interleukin-10; Interleukin-6; Lipopolysaccharides; Mice; Mice, Inbred BALB C; Ovalbumin; Rectum; Severity of Illness Index; Toll-Like Receptor 4; Weight Loss

To investigate the consequences of food allergy in adipose tissue and metabolism, we used a murine model in which mice have been sensitized subcutaneously with ovalbumin and further received antigen-containing diet. Allergic mice presented a significant weight loss 7 days after oral challenge with a concomitant decrease in epididymal adipose tissue mass. This decrease was associated with increased lipolysis and local inflammation. In adipose tissue of allergic mice there were increased leukocyte rolling and adhesion in the microvasculature, increased number of leukocytes in the tissue, especially macrophages (F4/80(+) cells) and increased pro-inflammatory cytokines levels, including TNF-α, IL-6 and CCL2. In addition, we observed low serum concentrations of triglyceride, glucose, total cholesterol and free fatty acids in the allergic mice. Our results suggest that the induction of food allergy in mice leads to adipose tissue inflammation and systemic metabolic alterations that contribute to the weight loss observed.

Topics: Adipose Tissue; Animals; Blood Glucose; Cell Adhesion; Chemokines; Cholesterol; Cytokines; Epididymis; Fatty Acids, Nonesterified; Food Hypersensitivity; Inflammation; Leukocyte Rolling; Lipolysis; Macrophages; Male; Mast Cells; Mice; Mice, Inbred BALB C; Ovalbumin; Triglycerides; Weight Loss

Cell-type specific expression of the human diphtheria toxin receptor in generally toxin resistant mice represents an innovative approach for the selective depletion of pre-defined cell populations. We demonstrate that in wildtype mice diphtheria toxin--in concentrations otherwise well tolerated--is highly toxic and lethal together with active immunization irrespective of the immunogenic peptide applied. We found increased lung cellularity as only pathological abnormality. Animal models of inflammatory diseases requiring active immunization including experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis may thus not be applicable in diphtheria receptor transgenic mice pointing to a major limitation of this otherwise technically interesting approach.

Topics: Animals; Diphtheria Toxin; Encephalomyelitis, Autoimmune, Experimental; Female; Freund's Adjuvant; Heparin-binding EGF-like Growth Factor; Humans; Immunization; Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; Lung; Mice; Mice, Inbred C57BL; Mice, Transgenic; Neuritis, Autoimmune, Experimental; Ovalbumin; Peptide Fragments; Pertussis Toxin; Time Factors; Weight Loss

In a series of experiments, effects of storage of eggs in water on internal egg quality, embryonic development, and hatchling quality were investigated. In experiment 1, unfertilized eggs were stored for 4 to 14 d in water (W) or air (control; C). In experiment 2, fertilized eggs were stored for 3 to 14 d in water or air and thereafter incubated for 9 d. In experiment 3, eggs were stored for 16 d in water or air and incubated for 1 to 9 d thereafter. In experiment 4, eggs were stored for 14 d in water or air, incubated thereafter, and hatching time and hatchling quality were determined. In all experiments, egg weight loss in the C treatment increased with duration of storage, whereas W eggs gained weight during storage. Albumen and yolk pH after storage and during incubation were greater in the C eggs compared with the W eggs. In experiment 3, embryonic development at d 4 and 9 was advanced in the W eggs compared with the C eggs. In experiment 4, the number of viable embryonic cells after storage and after trypsinization was lower in the C treatment than in the W treatment (30,188 vs. 69,618; P < 0.001). Hatching time was postponed in the W treatment compared with the C treatment (501 vs. 495 h; P < 0.05). Hatchling length was greater in the C treatment (19.7 vs. 20.3 cm; P = 0.01), and residual yolk was less in the C treatment than in the W treatment (4.9 vs. 8.3 g; P < 0.001). We concluded that storage of eggs in water for a prolonged period positively affects internal egg characteristics and early embryonic development, but negatively affects hatchling quality. The reason for the loss of the head start with progressing incubation needs further investigation.

Topics: Animals; Body Weight; Chick Embryo; Chickens; Egg Yolk; Eggs; Embryo, Nonmammalian; Embryonic Development; Female; Ovalbumin; Oviposition; Water; Weight Loss

This study seeks to improve the beneficial effects of fenugreek (Trigonella foenum graecum L.) galactomannan (GM) in lowering the plasma lipid profile and weight. Three different combinations of diets were prepared with fenugreek GM--(a) fenugreek GM + water (GM); (b) fenugreek GM + sodium bicarbonate (GMB); and (c) fenugreek GM + bicarbonate + albumin (GMBA)--and their in vitro water retention capacity and in vivo lipid-lowering effect were studied. Distilled water and sodium bicarbonate were used as controls. The sodium bicarbonate significantly increased the in vitro water-holding capacity of fenugreek GM (49.1 +/- 8.7 vs. 21.6 +/- 0.9 g of water/g of dry weight, P < .01). Administration by oral intubation of the combination GMBA to male albino Wistar rats (250 mg/kg of body weight) over a 4-week period was the most effective in reducing body weight (-27.0 +/- 0.4%, P < .001). Within this period, the combinations GMBA and GMB brought about the most significant reduction in the levels of plasma total cholesterol (P < .005). The GMBA combination was also the most effective in reducing levels of plasma low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (P < .001) and the atherogenicity indices. GM, GMB, and GMBA brought about significant (P < .01, .001, and .001, respectively) increases in the plasma high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels, with the highest increase coming with GMBA. A significant increase in plasma triglycerides (P < .05) was brought about by the GMBA combination, probably resulting from the rapid reduction of body weight observed. Food intake was reduced by GM, GMB, and GMBA, while water intake increased in that order. The GMB combination significantly reduced transit time (P < .01) compared to GM. On the other hand, GMB and GMBA improved glycemic control, compared to GM. We conclude that albumin and sodium bicarbonate have the ability to improve some beneficial physiological effects of fenugreek GM. This finding could have applications in the areas of human obesity, weight loss, and the control of blood lipids.

Topics: Animals; Blood Glucose; Cholesterol; Cholesterol, HDL; Cholesterol, LDL; Diet; Drinking; Eating; Galactose; Gastrointestinal Transit; Male; Mannans; Ovalbumin; Phytotherapy; Rats; Rats, Wistar; Seeds; Sodium Bicarbonate; Triglycerides; Trigonella; Water; Weight Loss

To investigate the mechanisms inducing food-sensitive intestinal inflammation, we focused on the OVA23-3 mouse, a transgenic mouse strain expressing a T cell receptor that recognizes ovalbumin (OVA). Mice administered an egg-white (EW) diet containing OVA showed a trend of loose feces and significant weight loss. Histology of the jejunum showed severe inflammation with villous atrophy. Thus, we studied the role of T cells and intestinal microflora in the development of the inflammation. Severe villous disruption was observed in sections of the jejunum from OVA23-3 mice and RAG-2 gene-deficient OVA23-3 mice fed with EW-diet. Further, a larger number of T cells was found in the lamina propria of the jejunum of EW-diet fed OVA23-3 mice, RAG-2 gene-deficient mice and germfree OVA23-3 mice compared with those of control-diet fed mice. However, severe inflammation was not detected in the jejunum of germfree OVA23-3 mice. CD4+ T cells from the MLN of EW-diet fed OVA23-3 mice showed a Th2 cytokine secretion profile. These observations have thus clarified that antigen-specific Th2 cells play important roles in the development of intestinal inflammation. Although the presence of indigenous bacteria was not essential for the inflammation, T cells could mediate a more severe inflammatory response in their presence.

Topics: Animals; Antigens; Disease Models, Animal; Food; Germ-Free Life; Immunity, Mucosal; Inflammation; Intestinal Mucosa; Jejunum; Mice; Mice, Inbred BALB C; Mice, Transgenic; Ovalbumin; Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell; T-Lymphocytes; Weight Loss

Enteric bacterial and/or food antigens may be crucial in the development of colitis but little is known of the exact mechanism of antigen specific reactions in this condition. The aim of this study was to determine whether systemically primed antigen specific CD4(+) T cells containing both CD45RB(high) and CD45RB(low) populations participate as a pathogenic subset that in turn leads to inflammatory reactions selectively in the large intestine.. SCID mice were reconstituted with splenic CD4(+) CD45RB(+) T cells or CD4(+) CD45RB(low) T cells isolated from donor mice systemically primed with ovalbumin (OVA) plus CFA. The reconstituted mice were then fed OVA for several weeks.. Reconstitution of SCID mice with OVA primed splenic CD4(+) T cells, containing populations of CD45RB(high) and CD45RB(low), resulted in the development of colitis by 4-5 weeks following repeated administration of oral OVA. Histopathological study revealed thickened wall, inflammatory cell infiltration, crypt elongation, and loss of goblet cells in the large intestine. The CD4(+) CD45RB(low) population of cells extracted from the affected large intestine secreted high levels of interferon gamma (IFN-gamma) and tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) at the protein and mRNA levels. Administration of neutralising antibodies to TNF-alpha, but not to IFN-gamma, prevented the development of colitis. Furthermore, adoptive transfer with OVA primed splenic CD4(+) CD45RB(low) T cells evoked severe colitis.. These results demonstrate that systemically primed activated/memory CD4(+) CD45RB(low) T cells can mediate the development of specific antigen induced colitis in SCID mice, and also that TNF-alpha is critical in the induction of this type of colitis. Our results contrast with those from studies in some colitis models in which CD45RB(low) T cells appeared to prevent colitis through secretion of immunosuppressive cytokines.

Topics: Adoptive Transfer; Animals; Antigens; CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes; Colitis; Cytokines; Disease Progression; Intestine, Large; Leukocyte Common Antigens; Lymphocyte Subsets; Mice; Mice, Inbred BALB C; Mice, SCID; Ovalbumin; Spleen; Th1 Cells; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; Weight Loss

Severe respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection has been hypothesized to be a risk factor for the development of allergy and asthma, but epidemiologic studies in humans have been inconclusive. By use of a well-characterized murine model of RSV infection and allergic sensitization with ovalbumin, the effect of a preceding severe RSV infection on the development of the pulmonary allergic inflammatory response and airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR) was tested. The impact of prior allergic sensitization on RSV-induced illness, as measured by weight loss, also was evaluated. RSV infection before allergic sensitization decreased allergen-induced AHR, production of interleukin-13 in lung tissue, and lung eosinophilia. In contrast, allergic sensitization before RSV infection increased AHR and decreased RSV-related weight loss and lung levels of interferon-gamma but did not alter viral clearance. These data provide evidence that RSV-associated AHR occurs in hosts with allergic responses and that allergic inflammation is diminished when preceded by RSV infection.

Topics: Allergens; Animals; Bronchial Hyperreactivity; Bronchoconstrictor Agents; Female; Hypersensitivity; Interferon-gamma; Interleukin-13; Lung; Lymphocyte Count; Methacholine Chloride; Mice; Mice, Inbred BALB C; Ovalbumin; Pulmonary Eosinophilia; Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infections; Respiratory Syncytial Viruses; Time Factors; Virus Replication; Weight Loss

Virus infections frequently exacerbate asthma, and in some cases may even precipitate its onset. Although this association is well known, experimental investigation has been hampered by the lack of adequate models.. The effects of acute respiratory virus infection on sensitization to aereoallergen were investigated in this study.. Nebulized ovalbumin was used as an aeroantigen in normal mice, and in those infected with respiratory syncytial virus or influenza A.. Both viruses caused transient illness. Ovalbumin inhalation did not induce specific serum antibodies unless the mice were infected at the time of nebulization. In exposed uninfected mice cutaneous challenge with ovalbumin caused no response, but caused acute systemic illness and collapse if previous pulmonary exposure had occurred during respiratory infection. Mice that collapsed in response to cutaneous ovalbumin were found to have IgG1 specific to ovalbumin that was not found in the other mice. Intracellular cytokine staining of splenocyte cultures showed ovalbumin-specific production of IL-4 was enhanced by virus infection during exposure. In CD8+ T cells, ovalbumin-specific interferon-gamma production was also enhanced by co-infection with influenza. Both viruses were equally associated with the induction of anaphylaxis.. These results show that infection with respiratory viruses powerfully augments cellular and humoral immune responses to aeroantigen and provide an experimental model that allows such effects to be investigated.

Topics: Administration, Inhalation; Allergens; Anaphylaxis; Animals; Bronchial Hyperreactivity; Female; Flow Cytometry; Immunoglobulin E; Immunoglobulin G; Influenza A virus; Injections, Intradermal; Mice; Orthomyxoviridae Infections; Ovalbumin; Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infections; Respiratory Syncytial Viruses; Respiratory Tract Infections; Spleen; Weight Loss