IMMUNOBIOLOGICAL EFFECTS OF MARINE Debaryomyces Hansenii-DERIVED LYSATES ON GOAT PERIPHERAL BLOOD LEUKOCYTES

Abstract

<p><strong>Background.</strong> Successful immunomodulatory effects of yeast structural and secretory bioactive compounds have been demonstrated on several animal species. Likewise, studies have shown the ability of <em>Debaryomyces hansenii</em> to stimulate both immune and antioxidant responses on fish, crustaceans, mollusks, and recently, goats. <strong>Objective.</strong> To analyze the immunostimulant activity of lysates derived from five strains of the marine yeast <em>D. hansenii</em> in goat peripheral blood leukocytes using <em>in vitro</em> assays. <strong>Methodology.</strong> For this purpose, leukocytes from caprine peripheral blood were isolated and incubated (24 h) with lysate-derived <em>D. hansenii</em> strains and Zymosan (positive control). <strong>Results.</strong> The results revealed that these strains significantly increased cell immune parameters, such as phagocytic capacity, reactive oxygen species (respiratory burst) and nitric oxide production, and myeloperoxidase activity. Antioxidant enzyme assays in leukocytes stimulated with lysate-derived <em>D. hansenii</em> demonstrated significant increases in superoxide dismutase and catalase activities. <strong>Implications.</strong> This <em>in vitro</em> study using peripheral blood leukocytes suggest that lysates derived from marine yeast <em>D. hansenii</em> strains could be considered immunostimulants for goats through their ability to stimulate the non-specific immune parameters and the antioxidant immune mechanism, without affecting leukocyte viability. <strong>Conclusion.</strong> In particular, the results indicated that <em>D. hansenii</em> BCS001 was able to modulate the immune parameters in goat immune cells. Therefore, additional <em>in vivo</em> immunostimulatory assays deserve further research, including other species of economic interest in food production.</p>