Modulation of Immune Functions by Foods

Abstract

Evidence is rapidly accumulating as to the beneficial effects of foods. However, it is not always clear whether the information is based on data evaluated impartially in a scientific fashion. Human research into whether foods modulate immune functions in either intervention studies or randomized controlled trials can be classified into three categories according to the physical state of subjects enrolled for investigation: (i) studies examining the effect of foods in healthy individuals; (ii) studies analyzing the effect of foods on patients with hypersensitivity; and (iii) studies checking the effect of foods on immunocompromized subjects, including patients who had undergone surgical resection of cancer and newborns. The systematization of reported studies has made it reasonable to conclude that foods are able to modulate immune functions manifesting as either innate immunity (phagocytic activity, NK cell activity) or acquired immunity (T cell response, antibody production). Moreover, improvement of immune functions by foods can normalize the physical state of allergic patients or cancer patients, and may reduce the risk of diseases in healthy individuals. Therefore, it is valuable to assess the immune-modulating abilities of foods by measuring at least one parameter of either innate or acquired immunity.

Vitamin E improves the in vivo efficacy of tigecycline and daptomycin in an animal model of wounds infected with meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus

“…Differences in leukocyte phenotype were evaluated by ANOVA followed by a Student-Newman-Keuls post-hoc test where appropriate. (Kaminogawa & Nanno, 2004;Tsalie et al, 2006). It is a fatsoluble vitamin, the main function of which is to maintain the integrity of the intracellular membrane by protecting its physical stability and providing a defence against any tissue damage caused by oxidation.…”

“…Immune functions are indispensable for defending the body against attack by infection and therefore play a pivotal role in the maintenance of health (De la Fuente & Victor, 2000;Kaminogawa & Nanno, 2004;Babizhayev, 2010). In particular, natural killer (NK) cells have been shown to play a relevant role in defence against infectious diseases, being active against viral, bacterial, protozoan and fungal infections (Fitzgerald & Lopez, 1986).…”

“…In particular, natural killer (NK) cells have been shown to play a relevant role in defence against infectious diseases, being active against viral, bacterial, protozoan and fungal infections (Fitzgerald & Lopez, 1986). Food contains various substances that can control the physiological functions of the body, and modulation of immune responses is one of the most important functions (Heinzerling et al, 1974a;De la Fuente & Victor, 2000;Kaminogawa & Nanno, 2004;Tsalie et al, 2006). Ingestion of food with immune-modulating activities is considered an efficient way to reduce the risk of infection.…”

“…Ingestion of food with immune-modulating activities is considered an efficient way to reduce the risk of infection. Vitamins exhibit important immune-modulating functions by entering cells and regulating gene expression (De la Fuente & Victor, 2000;Kaminogawa & Nanno, 2004;Babizhayev, 2010). Vitamin E (VE) is a family of essential micronutrients composed of lipid-soluble tocopherols and tocotrienols with strong antioxidant activity.…”

Proliferation and Differentiation of Hematopoietic Cells and Preservation of Immune Functions

“…In adult mice bred in a conventional environment, about half of the IELs have a phenotype of surface CD antigen similar to that of most peripheral T lymphocytes, that is, Thy-1 + , TCR + , and either CD4 + or CD8 + , which are made up of heterodimers of CD8 and chains (CD8 + ). These cells were matured in a thymus-dependent manner (Kaminogawa and Nanno, 2004). Another major IEL population possesses the surface phenotype TCR + or TCR + , which expresses CD8 homodimeric chains (CD8 + ) but does not express CD4 or CD8 heterodimeric molecules (Rocha et al, 1994).…”