Effects of low molecular weight peptides from monkfish (Lophius litulon) roe on immune response in immunosuppressed mice.

This study aimed to investigate the immunomodulatory activation of low-molecular-weight peptides from monkfish (Lophius litulon) roe (named MRP) on cyclophosphamide (CTX)-induced immunosuppressed mice. Our results indicated that MRP (100 mg/kg/d BW) could significantly increase the body weight and immune organ index, and improve the morphological changes in the spleen and thymus of mice. These effects subsequently enhance the serum levels of interleukin (IL)-6, IL-1ß, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, and immunoglobulin (Ig) A, IgM, and IgG. Furthermore, MRP could also improve CTX-induced oxidative stress, and activate the NF-κB and MAPK pathways in the spleen tissues. The findings reported herein indicate that MRP has a good immunomodulatory activation toward immunosuppressed mice, hence can potentially be developed as an immune adjuvant or functional food.

Ameliorating Effect of Pentadecapeptide Derived from Cyclina sinensis on Cyclophosphamide-Induced Nephrotoxicity.

Cyclophosphamide (CTX) is a widely used anticancer drug with severe nephrotoxicity. The pentadecapeptide (RVAPEEHPVEGRYLV) from Cyclina sinensis (SCSP) has been shown to affect immunity and to protect the liver. Hence, the purpose of this study was to investigate the ameliorating effect of SCSP on CTX-induced nephrotoxicity in mice. We injected male ICR mice with CTX (80 mg/kg·day) and measured the nephrotoxicity indices, levels of antioxidant enzymes, malondialdehyde (MDA), inflammatory factors, as well as the major proteins of the NF-κB and apoptotic pathways. Cyclophosphamide induced kidney injury; the levels of kidney-injury indicators and cytokines recovered remarkably in mice after receiving SCSP. The activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), and catalase (CAT) increased, while there was a significant decrease in MDA levels. The kidney tissue damage induced by CTX was also repaired to a certain extent. In addition, SCSP significantly inhibited inflammatory factors and apoptosis by regulating the NF-κB and apoptotic pathways. Our study shows that SCSP has the potential to ameliorate CTX-induced nephrotoxicity and may be used as a therapeutic adjuvant to ameliorate CTX-induced nephrotoxicity.