Comparative effect of fucoxanthin and vitamin C on oxidative and functional parameters of human lymphocytes

Int Immunopharmacol. 2014 Sep;22(1):41-50. doi: 10.1016/j.intimp.2014.06.026. Epub 2014 Jun 24.

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of FUCO alone or combined with vitamin C on different features of lymphocyte function related to ROS/RNS (reactive oxygen/nitrogen species) production. For this purpose we have evaluated the cytotoxicity of increasing concentrations of FUCO and vitamin C, the proliferative capacity of stimulated T- and B-lymphocytes, superoxide anion radicals (O(2)), hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2)) and nitric oxide (NO) production, antioxidant enzyme activities and the indexes of oxidative damage in proteins (carbonyl and thiol content). We have also evaluated the release of inflammatory cytokines and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PDH) activity. Healthy human lymphocytes were acutely treated in vitro with FUCO (2 μM) with or without vitamin C (100 μM). Results revealed that human lymphocytes treated with FUCO at 2μM did not present any significant alteration in the proliferation of T- and B-lymphocytes at both resting and stimulated conditions. Moreover, FUCO used at low concentrations showed more pro-oxidant than antioxidant effects, which were recognized by the increased H(2)O(2) and increased NO production. Anti-inflammatory activity of FUCO was confirmed by significantly increased IL-10 and decreased TNF-α production. Vitamin C increased T-lymphocyte proliferation, whereas vitamin C plus FUCO promoted a reduction in the proliferation rate of these cells. All groups decreased pro-inflammatory cytokine TNF-α and increased anti-inflammatory IL-10 production although only vitamin C decreased IFN-γ either alone or when combined with FUCO. Overall, the combination of the antioxidants had more antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects than when they were applied alone.

Keywords: Anti-inflammatory; Antioxidant; Carotenoid; Free radical; Leukocytes.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents / pharmacology*
  • Antioxidants / pharmacology*
  • Ascorbic Acid / pharmacology*
  • B-Lymphocytes / drug effects*
  • B-Lymphocytes / physiology
  • Cell Proliferation / drug effects
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Cytokines / metabolism
  • Drug Combinations
  • Drug Synergism
  • Female
  • Glucosephosphate Dehydrogenase / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Inflammation Mediators / metabolism
  • Lymphocyte Activation / drug effects
  • Male
  • Nitric Oxide / metabolism
  • Oxidative Stress / drug effects
  • Protein Carbonylation / drug effects
  • Reactive Oxygen Species / metabolism
  • T-Lymphocytes / drug effects*
  • T-Lymphocytes / physiology
  • Xanthophylls / pharmacology*
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents
  • Antioxidants
  • Cytokines
  • Drug Combinations
  • Inflammation Mediators
  • Reactive Oxygen Species
  • Xanthophylls
  • fucoxanthin
  • Nitric Oxide
  • Glucosephosphate Dehydrogenase
  • Ascorbic Acid