Dietary β-Carotene Stimulates Cell-Mediated and Humoral Immune Response in Dogs

The role of β-carotene on immune response in domestic dogs is not known. Female Beagle dogs were fed 0, 2, 20 or 50 mg β-carotene/d; blood was sampled at wk 0, 1, 2, 4 and 8 for analysis of the following: lymphoproliferation, leukocyte subpopulations and concentrations of interleukin-2 (IL-2), immun...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:The Journal of nutrition 2000-08, Vol.130 (8), p.1910-1913
Main Authors: Chew, Boon P., Park, Jean Soon, Wong, Teri S., Kim, Hong Wook, Weng, Brian B.C., Byrne, Katherine M., Hayek, Michael G., Reinhart, Gregory A.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animals
Antibody Formation - drug effects
Antioxidants - pharmacology
beta Carotene - pharmacology
Biological and medical sciences
canines
Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid
Dogs - immunology
Feeding. Feeding behavior
Female
Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology
Hypersensitivity, Delayed - immunology
immunity
Immunity, Cellular - drug effects
Immunoglobulin G - biosynthesis
Interleukin-2 - biosynthesis
Leukocytes - drug effects
Leukocytes - immunology
Lymphocyte Activation - drug effects
Vertebrates: anatomy and physiology, studies on body, several organs or systems
β-carotene
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Summary:The role of β-carotene on immune response in domestic dogs is not known. Female Beagle dogs were fed 0, 2, 20 or 50 mg β-carotene/d; blood was sampled at wk 0, 1, 2, 4 and 8 for analysis of the following: lymphoproliferation, leukocyte subpopulations and concentrations of interleukin-2 (IL-2), immunoglobulin (Ig)G and IgM. Delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) response was assessed at wk 0, 3 and 7. β-Carotene supplementation increased plasma β-carotene concentrations in a dose-dependent manner. Compared with unsupplemented dogs, those fed 20 or 50 mg of β-carotene had higher CD4+ cell numbers and CD4:CD8 ratio. However, there was no treatment difference in CD8+, CD21+ and major histocompatability complex (MHC) class II+ cells. Plasma IgG, but not IgM concentration was higher in dogs fed β-carotene throughout the study period. The DTH response to phytohemagglutinin (PHA) and vaccine was heightened in β-carotene–supplemented dogs. β-Carotene feeding did not influence mitogen-induced lymphocyte proliferation or IL-2 production. Immune response was impaired in dogs classified as low β-carotene absorbers compared with similar dogs fed the same amount of β-carotene. Therefore, dietary β-carotene heightened cell-mediated and humoral immune responses in dogs.
ISSN:0022-3166
1541-6100
DOI:10.1093/jn/130.8.1910