PubMed Health⌕ Search

PubMed · 12903831

Finding a place for immunonutrition.

Abstract

The role of certain nutrients that seem to have pharmacologic effects on immune and inflammatory parameters has been studied over the last two decades. This area of research is called immunonutrition. A recent study administered a combination of immunonutrients perioperatively in well nourished gastrointestinal cancer patients undergoing elective surgery. The rate of infectious complications and length of hospital stay was decreased in those receiving immunonutrients compared with patients receiving no nutritional support. The role of the individual components of this immunonutrition and the clinical trials of similar combinations in surgical gastrointestinal cancer patients are reviewed.

Explore related subjects

Keep this discovery

Explore connections, maps & timelines

BibTeXRIS

William Alvarez, Sohrab Mobarhan. 2003. Finding a place for immunonutrition.. https://doi.org/10.1301/nr.2003.jun.214-218

Cite the original work for its findings. Save a collection to share your selection of sources.

KEEP EXPLORING

Related citations

Immunostimulatory RNA oligonucleotides trigger an antigen-specific cytotoxic T-cell and IgG2a response.

Single-stranded RNA oligonucleotides containing an immunostimulatory motif (immunostimulatory RNA [isRNA]) are potent inducers of interferon-alpha via the Toll-like receptor 7. We investigated the effect of isRNA on the development of an immune response. We show that isRNA activates dendritic cells and induces production of Th1-type cytokines both in vitro and in vivo. Cytokine production led to bystander activation of T and B cells. We further demonstrate that isRNA triggers the generation of antigen-specific cytotoxic T cells and of an IgG2a-biased antibody response to antigen in a sequence-dependent manner. In summary, we provide evidence for the first time that isRNA oligonucleotides can simultaneously activate the innate and adaptive arms of the immune system.

Adjuvants, Immunologic↗

Mechanism of third signals provided by IL-12 and OX-40R ligation in eliciting therapeutic immunity following dendritic-tumor fusion vaccination.

Dendritic-tumor heterokaryons generated by electrofusion are highly immunogenic. In animal studies, a single vaccination was therapeutic for tumors established in the lung, skin, and brain. However, effective therapy required a third signal which could be provided by exogenous IL-12 or the agonistic anti-OX-40R monoclonal antibody (mAb). In this study, we investigated the mechanism and mode of actions of these two seemingly distinct adjuvants. In immunotherapy of the MCA205 sarcoma, administration of the neutralizing anti-IL-12 mAb nearly completely blocked the adjuvant effect of IL-12, but had minimal inhibitory effects on anti-OX-40R mAb. By contrast, in vivo administration of the antagonistic anti-OX-40L mAb inhibited the adjuvant effects of both IL-12 and anti-OX-40R mAb. Thus, a common pathway of endogenous OX-40 interaction is critical for the development of a therapeutic immune response. Analysis of the third signal mechanism revealed that in the absence of an adjuvant, vaccination with fusion hybrids led to IL-10 production without eliciting IFN-gamma secreting cells. The addition of IL-12 to vaccination suppressed IL-10 production and initiated sensitization of specific IFN-gamma secreting cells, resulting in a type 1-like antitumor immunity. These findings underscore the significance of the third signal in the design of dendritic cell-based cancer vaccines.

Adjuvants, Immunologic↗