ABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the role of D-galactose, especially in the structural and functional changes of the immune system in aging.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Serum levels of advanced glycation end-products (AGE) were determined by ELISA method. Ultra-structures of thymus and spleen were detected by transmission electron microscopy. MTT method was used to determine the lymphocyte proliferation. IL-2 activity was determined by bioassay. Northern blot was used to detect the IL-2 mRNA levels.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Serum AGE levels of D-galactose- (P < 0.01) and AGE-treated (P < 0.05) mice (n = 8) were increased significantly. The ultra-structures of thymus and spleen in D-galactose- and AGE-treated mice showed regressive changes similar to those in the aged control group. The lymphocyte mitogenesis and IL-2 activity of spleen were also decreased significantly (P < 0.01, n = 8). The change of IL-2 activity shown by Northern blot resulted from the change of mRNA expression. The AGE plus aminoguanidine group, however, showed no significant change in these parameters in comparison with the young control group (P < 0.01 or P < 0.05, n = 8).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>D-galactose and AGE lead to a mimic regression change of aging in the immune system in vivo.</p>
Subject(s)
Animals , Mice , Aging , Allergy and Immunology , Cell Proliferation , Galactose , Pharmacology , Glycation End Products, Advanced , Blood , Interleukin-2 , Metabolism , Lymphocytes , Allergy and Immunology , Microscopy, Electron, Transmission , RNA, Messenger , Metabolism , Spleen , Allergy and Immunology , Thymus Gland , Allergy and ImmunologyABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the inhibiting effects and mechanism of achyranthes bidentata polysaccharide (ABP) and lycium barbarum polysaccharide (LBP) on nonenzyme glycation in D-galactose induced mouse aging model.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Serum AGE levels were determined by AGE-ELISA, MTT method was used to determine lymphocyte proliferation, IL-2 activity was determined by a bioassay method. Spontaneous motor activity was used to detect mouse's neuromuscular movement, latency of step-through method was used to examine learning and memory abilities of mouse, colormetric assay was used to determine hydroxyproline concentration in mouse skin, pyrogallol autoxidation method was used to determine superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity of erythrocytes.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Decreased levels of serum AGE, hydroxyproline concentration in mouse skin and spontaneous motor activity in D-galactose mouse aging model were detected after treated with ABP or LBP, while lymphocyte proliferation and IL-2 activity, learning and memory abilities, SOD activity of erythrocytes, were enhanced.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>ABP and LBP could inhibit nonenzyme glycation in D-galactose induced mouse aging model in vivo and ABP has a better inhibiting effect than LBP.</p>