Acute induction of interleukin‐6 and biphasic changes of serum complement C3 by carrageenan in mice

Abstract

Carrageenan has been widely used as an irritant to evoke inflammation in animals or to selectively deplete macrophages in vivo. Although precise understanding of carrageenan activity is a prerequisite for the experimental use of this polysaccharide, the effects of this agent on host-biological systems are still poorly understood. We investigated the effect of carrageenan on serum concentrations of complement C3 and interleukin (IL)-6, a potent complement-inducing factor. Intraperitoneal administration of carrageenan (4 mg) in mice resulted in an initial fall in serum C3 (70% of control, P < 0.05) between 3 and 6 h, but was followed by a significant rise (180% of the control, P < 0.05) at 24h. Prior to the rise in complement C3, a sharp peak of serum IL-6 was observed at 6h after carrageenan treatment. These results indicate potential of carrageenan to enhance host complement systems, which may be associated with, at least in part, an acute induction of IL-6.

Effect of sulfated carrageenan on the cellular response of the lobster Panulirus interruptus

“…These glycans, such as agar and carrageenan, are usually found in marine macroalgae. Carrageenan is a sulfated polysaccharide from the cell wall of red algae, composed of alternating D-galactopyranose units joined by α-1,3 and β-1,4 linkages (Painter, 1983); it has been widely used as an irritant to stimulate inflammation in animals or to selectively deplete macrophages in mammals (Takeda et al, 1998), and even in studies of cell adhesion in mice macrophages (Chong and Parish, 1985). However, differences have been found in the results of the use of different immunostimulants in diverse aquatic species (Robertsen et al, 1994;Raa, 1996), so the selection of a particular compound will depend on its solubility, mode of administration, type of organism, dose, etc.…”

“…Estos glicanos, como el agar y el carragenano, son comúnmente encontrados en las macroalgas marinas. El carragenano es un polisacárido sulfatado de la pared celular de las algas rojas constituido por unidades alternantes de D-galactopiranosa unidas por enlaces α-1,3 y β-1,4 (Painter, 1983), que ha sido ampliamente utilizado como irritante en la simulación de inflamaciones en animales, o para disminuir selectivamente a los macrófagos de mamíferos (Takeda et al, 1998), e incluso, en estudios de adhesión celular en macrófagos de ratones (Chong y Parish, 1985). No obstante, existen diferencias en cuanto a los resultados obtenidos con diversos tipos de inmunoestimulantes en distintas especies acuáticas (Robertsen et al, 1994;Raa, 1996), por lo que se sospecha que la selección de un compuesto como éste, en particular, dependerá de su solubilidad, ruta de administración, tipo de organismo, dosis, etc.…”

A carrageenan/agarose composite sponge and its immunomodulatory activities toward RAW264.7

“…As traditional agents for inflammatory model, direct oral uptaken or injection of carrageenans and their oligosaccharides exhibits good immuno‐activities to immune cells especially macrophages 14,21,34‐38 . They could activate inflammatory signaling pathways, modulate phenotypes of macrophages, promote immune cells to secret pro‐inflammatory factors, such as, TNF‐α, IL‐6, IL‐1β, IL‐8, and so forth 34,39‐47 and anti‐inflammatory factor, such as, IL‐10 48,49 in different stages of inflammatory phase, and could be chosen as an appropriate immuno‐active component for the modulation of macrophages.…”