ABSTRACT
Objective:To investigate the effects of the β-casomorphin-7 on in vitro and in vivo mice splenic lymphocyte and macrophage nitric oxide production.Methods:Splenocytes proliferation assay and nitrite determination were employed for the studies of effects of β-casomorphin-7 on mice splenic lymphocyte and macrophage following in vitro stimulation of β-casomorphin-7 and in vivo intrapetitoneal administration and drinking β-casomorphin-7 solution administration.Results:In vitro study, β-casomorphin-7 showed a stimulation as well as a suppression of lymphocyte proliferation and significantly(P＜0.01) suppressed the production of nitric oxide. In vivo study, β-casomorphin-7 actions on lymphocytes and macrophages were accordant in intraperitoneal administration and drinking β-casomorphin-7 solution administration. β-casomorphin-7 significantly(P＜0.01) increased in splenic lymphocyte proliferative response and suppressed nitric oxide production in peritoneal macrophages.Conclusion:The present study indicates that the β-casomorphin-7 has the immunomodulatory effects and β-casomorphin-7 may be permeable into peripheral blood intact in mice of 2-3 weeks of age.