Immune function

The non-neuronal cholinergic system is widely expressed in human airways. Choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) and/or acetylcholine are demonstrated in more or less all epithelial surface cells (goblet cells, ciliated cells, basal cells), submucosal glands and airway smooth muscle fibres. Acetylcholine is also demonstrated in the effector cells of the immune system (lymphocytes, macrophages, mast cells). Epithelial, endothelial and immune cells express nicotinic and muscarinic receptors. Thus the cytomolecule acetylcholine can contribute to the regulation of basic cell functions via auto-/paracrine mechanisms (proliferation, differentiation, ciliary activity, secretion of water, ions and mucus, organization of the cytoskeleton, cell-cell contact). Acetylcholine also modulates immune functions (release of cytokines; proliferation, activation and inhibition of immune cells). Preliminary experimental evidence suggests that mucosal inflammation may be associated with raised acetylcholine le...

Interleukin (IL)-12 was cloned on the basis of its ability to activate natural killer (NK) cells and promote the development of cytolytic T cells. With further understanding of its activities, IL-12 has emerged as an important cytokine, affecting both immune and hematologic functions. It has been shown to be necessary for the T cell independent induction of interferon (IFN)-γ, critical for the initial suppression of bacterial and parasitic infection; for the development of a Th1 response, critical for effective host defense against intracellular pathogens; and for the activation of differentiated T lymphocytes of both CD4+ and CD8+ phenotype. IL-12 thus functions to activate and to link the innate and acquired immune responses. The therapeutic potential of these activities is suggested by studies in tumor and microbial models. IL-12 has suppressed tumor growth in all murine models examined. Antimicrobial activity has been demonstrated in bacterial, yeast, parasitic, and viral models of infection. In many of these models, activity has been linked to production of IFN-γ and, in the parasite model, to development of a Th1 response. In addition to the therapeutic potential associated with IL-12 activity in these disease models, the understanding of its role in immune development and interaction with other cytokines, particularly antagonists, such as IL-4 and IL-10, has clarified and extended our understanding of immune regulation and should lead to significant developments in understanding the progression of AIDS and the development of vaccine adjuvants able to direct the immune response.

The regulatory role of vitamin D receptor (VDR) gene variants of BsmI, ApaI, TaqI, and FokI polymorphisms on vitamin D3-modulated macrophage phagocytosis with live Mycobacterium tuberculosis and lymphoproliferative response to M. tuberculosis culture filtrate antigen (CFA) was studied in patients with pulmonary tuberculosis (n = 46) and in normal healthy subjects (NHS) (n = 64). Vitamin D3 at a concentration of 1 × 10−7 M enhanced the phagocytic potential of normal subjects who had a phagocytic index of less than 20%. This increase was seen in subjects with the genotypes BB (p = 0.017), AA (p = 0.016), tt (p = 0.034), and FF (p = 0.013) and the extended genotype BBAAtt (p = 0.034). Normal subjects with BBAAtt performed better phagocytosis than individuals with bbaaTT genotype (p = 0.034). Vitamin D3 at 10−9, 10−8, and 10−7 M concentrations suppressed the lymphoproliferative response to CFA antigen in normal subjects. This decreased lymphocyte response was observed in normal individuals with the genotypes BB (p = 0.0009), tt (p = 0.016), and FF (p = 0.008) and the extended genotype BBAAtt (p = 0.02). Addition of vitamin D3 had no significant effect on macrophage phagocytosis and lymphoproliferative response to CFA in pulmonary TB patients. This may be due to the unresponsive nature of the cells to the action of vitamin D3 or the downregulated VDR expression by virtue of the disease, which renders them inactive. The genotypes BB, tt, and the extended genotype BBAAtt may be associated with increased expression of VDR which in turn regulate the action of vitamin D3 and modulate the immune functions to M. tuberculosis in NHS.

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common endocrine disorder in premenopausal women, trace elements play an important role in PCOS, selenium performs various biological functions such as defense against oxidative stress, immune function and thyroid function, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common endocrine disorder in premenopausal women, trace Elements have important role in PCOS, selenium is involved in many biological functions, such as, protection against oxidative stress, immune function and thyroid function, Copper, zinc and manganese are essential micronutrients that have been integrated into various proteins and metalloenzymes and are active in the metabolic process of cells and in oxidative stress pathways that can lead to oxidative stress. One hundred and twenty-four of patients' women with poly cystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) patients and 56 normal ovulatory women participated in the study. Seleniumand serum Copper, zinc and manganese were measured by using flame atomic absorption spectrometry (FAAS).

Traditionally, the medical properties of garlic were recognized as early as 3000 BC. The functional benefits of garlic are its antimicrobial activity, anticancer activity, antioxidant activity, ability to reduce cardiovascular diseases, improving immune functions, and anti-diabetic activity. Recent studies identify the active functional components providing the medicinal benefits, as well as their mechanisms of action including the best possible ways to consume garlic. Allicin (diallyl-thiosulfinate) is one of the major organosulfur compounds in garlic considered to be biologically active. In this article, I review the chemistry of allicin and its stability during processing and storage, in-vivo and in-vitro functionality of allicin, and other functional components. In addition, I explore other potential alternative approaches of making its derivatives and their use for health benefits.