IFN family x IFNγ x IgG

Objective: This study investigates the effect of alpha-lipoic acid-loaded chitosan nanoparticles (ALA-CHNPs) on growth performance, feed utilization, and health in heat-stressed growing rabbits.Methods: A total of 125 healthy, 5-week-old rabbits were randomly assigned to five groups of 25. One group served as a thermoneutral control, while the other four groups were subjected to heat stress and received diets supplemented with 0, 100, 200, or 400 mg of ALACHNPs per kilogram, respectively.Results: Dietary supplementation resulted in significant improvements in growth performance, feed conversion ratio, physiological responses, liver weight, and dressing percentage. Supplementation with ALA-CHNPs resulted in a linear reduction in liver enzymes activities, as well as in the levels of total bilirubin, hydrogen peroxide, glutathione, catalase, superoxide dismutase, immunoglobulin G, lysozyme activity, interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-10. No significant differences were observed between the ALA-CHNPs200 and ALACHNPs400 groups (p>0.05). The levels of blood serum total protein, albumin, globulin, total antioxidant capacity, glutathione peroxidase activity, immunoglobulin A and M, and nitric oxide showed a quadratic increase, reaching a peak at ALA-CHNPs doses ranging from 250–300 mg/kg diet. Conversely, the concentrations of triglycerides, cholesterol, glucose, malondialdehyde, interferon-gamma, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, and nuclear factor kappa B exhibited a quadratic decrease, with optimal reductions observed at doses between 250–300 mg/kg diet. Supplementation with ALA-CHNPs reduced liver damage caused by heat stress, restoring normal hepatic morphology. The hydrophobic interactions of ALA with antioxidant enzymes and cytokines contributed to the reduction of heat stress-induced oxidative stress.Conclusion: The inclusion of 250–300 mg ALA-CHNPs/kg diet enhanced growth performance, redox balance, immune function, and inflammatory response in fattened rabbits raised during the summer season.

Cyclophosphamide is a widely used chemotherapeutic agent known for its effectiveness in treating various cancers; however, it is associated with significant immunosuppressive side effects. This study investigates the potential of sakuranetin, a natural flavonoid, in mice under cyclophosphamide-induced immunosuppressive conditions. Mice were grouped into four groups: one control group, two treated with cyclophosphamide and two sakuranetin-treated groups receiving different doses (10 and 20 mg/kg). Immune organ indices, lymphocyte proliferation, hematological parameters, nitric oxide levels, cytokines (tumor necrosis factor alpha-TNF-α, interferon γ-IFN-γ), interleukins (interleukin-1β-IL-1β, IL-4, IL-6), immunoglobulin G (IgG), IgM levels, plague-forming cells quantification, qualitative hemolysis, and delayed-type hypersensitivity were assessed. Cyclophosphamide significantly (P < 0.05) reduced immune organ indices, lymphocyte proliferation, changes in hematological parameters, and nitric oxide levels. Treatment with both sakuranetin doses restored these parameters and normalized cytokine, IgG, and IgM levels (P < 0.05). Sakuranetin significantly (P < 0.05) improved the immunomodulatory action with elevated immune response with downregulation in immune response mediated by cells. Sakuranetin effectively counteracts cyclophosphamide-induced immunosuppression by modulating the IFN-γ, TNF-α, IgG, and interleukin pathway, suggesting its potential as a protective agent.

To explore the mechanism of action of azithromycin on lung oxidative injury and immune function in mice infected with Mycoplasma pneumoniae (MP) based on the nuclear factor E2-related factor 2/antioxidant response element (Nrf2/ARE) signaling pathway.

The lung index, dry/wet weight ratio, inflammatory factor levels in alveolar lavage fluid, serum contents of interferon-γ (IFN-γ) and immunoglobulin G (IgG), oxidative stress markers, peripheral blood levels of T-lymphocyte subsets, pathological changes, and Nrf2, HO-1, and NQO1 expression were assessed.

Compared to the control group, the MP group exhibited elevated lung index, reduced lung dry/wet weight ratio, elevated tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), interleukin (IL)-1β and IL-6 contents, reduced IL-10 levels, raised IFN-γ, IgG and peripheral blood CD8+ levels, reduced CD3⁺ and CD4⁺ levels, CD4⁺/CD8⁺ ratio, and superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione (GSH) activity, elevated malondialdehyde (MDA) contents, destruction of lung tissue structure, elevated pathological scores, and diminished Nrf2, HO-1, and NQO1 levels. Compared with MP and MP + DMSO groups, MP + azithromycin (AZI) and MP + sulforaphane (SFN) groups displayed a reduced lung index, elevated lung dry/wet weight ratio, reduced TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6 contents, raised IL-10 content, decreased IFN-γ, IgG, and peripheral blood CD8⁺ levels, increased CD3⁺ and CD4⁺ levels and CD4⁺/CD8⁺ ratio, raised SOD and GSH activity, and diminished MDA content. HE staining demonstrated improved lung tissue structure, diminished pathological scores, and upregulated Nrf2, HO-1, and NQO1 levels after azithromycin and SFN intervention compared to the MP group (all p < 0.05).

Azithromycin ameliorates MP infection-induced lung injury and oxidative stress and strengthens immune function in mice, which may be achieved by activating the Nrf2/ARE signaling pathway.