Oral administration of paramylon, a beta-1,3-D-glucan isolated from Euglena gracilis Z inhibits development of atopic dermatitis-like skin lesions in NC/Nga mice.

Abstract

Paramylon is a beta-1,3-D-glucan isolated from Euglena gracilis Z. This study was designed to evaluate the suppressive effects of the oral administration of paramylon on the development of atopic dermatitis (AD)-like skin lesions induced by repeated application of 2,4,6-trinitrochlorobenzene (TNCB) in sensitized NC/Nga mice. The effects of paramylon were assessed by measuring macroscopical and histopathological findings of skin, ear swelling, serum levels of total IgE, interleukin-4 (IL-4) and interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) and IL-18 and IL-12 contents in the skin lesions. Oral administration of paramylon inhibited the development of AD-like skin lesions as exemplified by a significant decrease in dermatitis scores for the back, ear swelling and hypertrophy of the skin, infiltration of inflammatory cells in the skin, and serum IgE levels. Oral administration of paramylon reduced serum levels of both IL-4 and IFN-gamma and IL-18 and IL-12 contents in the skin lesions. Oral administration of paramylon did not cause weight loss, as was observed with prednisolone. These results suggest that paramylon inhibits the development of AD-like skin lesions in NC/Nga mice by suppressing both the T-helper (Th) 1 and Th 2 cell responses. Our results indicate that paramylon treatment could provide an effective alternative therapy for the management of AD.

• Authors: Akihiko Sugiyama, Sayaka Hata, Kengo Suzuki, Eriko Yoshida, Ryohei Nakano, Sharbanee Mitra, Ryo Arashida, Yuta Asayama, Yukinori Yabuta, Takashi Takeuchi
• Journal: The Journal of veterinary medical science (J Vet Med Sci) Vol. 72 Issue 6 Pg. 755-63 (Jun 2010) ISSN: 0916-7250 [Print] Japan
• PMID: 20160419 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Glucans
• paramylon
• Picryl Chloride

Topics

• Administration, Oral
• Animals
• Dermatitis, Atopic (pathology, prevention & control, veterinary)
• Ear (anatomy & histology, pathology)
• Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay
• Euglena gracilis (chemistry)
• Glucans (administration & dosage, isolation & purification, pharmacology)
• Immunization (veterinary)
• Mice
• Mice, Inbred Strains
• Picryl Chloride (pharmacology)
• Skin (drug effects, pathology)