The Immunological Effects of Electrolyzed Reduced Water on the Echinostoma hortense Infection in C57BL/6 Mice

Abstract

Electrolyzed reduced water (ERW) is widely used for drinking by people in Asia. The purpose of this study was to examine the immunological effect of ERW on the immunity of animals by supplying ERW to C57BL/6 mice infected with Echinostoma hortense metacercariae. In the non-infected groups, interleukin (IL)-4 (p0.001), IL-5, IL-10, IL-1b, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-a and immunoglobulin (Ig) A expression of the group fed ERW (ERW group) increased in small intestine compared with the normal control group. In the case of infected groups, the group fed ERW (ERW . hortense group) showed the result that IL-4, IL-5, IL-10 and Ig A expression increased, but IL-1b and TNF-a (p0.001) decreased, and the number of goblet cells (p0.001) and helix pomatia agglutinin (HPA) positive cells increased compared with the group without feeding ERW. However, adult worm recovery rate was markedly increased (p0.05). On the other hand, the expression of all the cytokines except IL-10 in spleen was mildly increased but not signicant statistically, and there was no signicant difference in the numerical changes of white blood cell (WBC). These results indicate that feeding ERW may have inuence on the local immune response (Th-1 type cytokines such as IL-1b, TNF-a) in the small intestine but not on the systemic immune response.

Study details

Article type

Original Research

Disease / injury model

Echinostoma hortense infection (intestinal helminthiasis)

Duration

7 weeks

Dose-dependent effect

No

Outcome

Neutral

Findings

Feeding electrolyzed reduced water (ERW) to C57BL/6 mice infected with Echinostoma hortense increased Th2 cytokines (IL-4, IL-5, IL-10) and IgA expression in the small intestine, decreased Th1 cytokines (IL-1b, TNF-a), and increased goblet cell numbers, but delayed worm expulsion as indicated by a higher worm recovery rate. ERW influenced local but not systemic immune responses.