Immunomodulatory Effect of Stichopus japonicus Acid Mucopolysaccharide on Experimental Hepatocellular Carcinoma in Rats

Molecules

Yang Song²  Shou-Jie Jin²  Lian-Hua Cui²  Xiao-Jun Ji¹ 

[1]The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University Medical College, Qingdao 266021, Shandong, China

[2] E-Mail:

[3]Institute of Nutrition, Qingdao University Medical College, Qingdao 266021, Shandong, China

[4] E-Mails:

关键词: hepatocellular carcinoma;    Stichopus japonicus acid mucopolysaccharide;    macrophage;    natural killer cell;    T lymphocyte subsets;    proliferating cell nuclear antigen;    p21 expression;   

DOI  :  10.3390/molecules18067179

来源: mdpi

【 摘 要 】

Stichopus japonicus acid mucopolysaccharide (SJAMP) is an important biologically active compound that can be extracted from the body wall of the sea cucumber. The present study investigated the anti-tumor and immunomodulatory effects of SJAMP in an experimental hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) model in rats. Three doses of SJAMP (17.5 mg/kg, 35 mg/kg, and 70 mg/kg administered 5 days/week via oral gavage) were given to rats with diethylnitrosamine (DEN)-induced HCC. SJAMP treatment significantly inhibited DEN-induced HCC by reducing both the number and mean volume of nodules, decreasing serum α-fetoprotein (AFP) levels and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) expression in liver, and increasing p21 expression. Furthermore, SJAMP decreased the serum levels of ALT, AST, GGT and TNF-α and increased serum IL-2. SJAMP administration also improved indices of spleen and thymus function and improved both macrophage phagocytosis and NK cell-mediated tumoricidal activity. Moreover, CD3⁺ and CD4⁺ T lymphocyte levels recovered significantly and the CD4⁺/CD8⁺ T cell ratio normalized in a dose-dependent manner. In conclusion, SJAMP effectively inhibited the growth of HCC through the stimulation of immune organs and tissue proliferation, leading to the enhancement of cellular immunity pathways in rats.

【 授权许可】

CC BY   
© 2013 by the authors; licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.