Inhibition of IL-4 but not IFN-gamma production by splenocytes of mice immunized with ovalbumin after oral administration of 5-hydroxymethylfurfural

Abstract

5-Hydroxymethylfurfural (5-HMF) is one of the most important products of maillard reaction. This study sought to elucidate the immunomodulatory effect of 5-HMF by evaluating IFN-gamma and IL-4 production in BALB/c mice sensitized with ovalbumin (OVA). Four groups of BALB/c mice (n = 5 for each group) including control, vehicle and two 5-HMF (188 and 750 mg/kg bw) treatment groups were studied. Interleukin-4(IL-4) and interferon gamma (IFN-gamma) levels were measured in culture supernatants of spleen cells using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. It was found that the IL-4 level was significantly suppressed in 5-HMF treatment groups compared with the vehicle group (P < .05). Moreover, the IFN-gamma/IL-4 ratio was significantly increased in a dose-independent manner compared with the vehicle group (P < .05). Oral administration of 5-HMF inhibited IL-4 but not IFN-gamma production by splenocytes of mice immunized with OVA. These changes may reflect that 5-HMF could be a novel therapeutic approach for prevention of (Th2) cytokine-dominant disease.