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Effects of PSK on resistance to bacterial infection in splenectomized mice
T Ando1, I Motokawa, K Sakurai
1Biomedical Research Laboratories, Kureha Chemical Industry Co., Ldt., Tokyo, Japan.
Abstract:
Nontumor-bearing C3H/He mice were splenectomized and intravenously inoculated 7 days later with Streptococcus pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, or Escherichia coli. The survival rate was reduced by splenectomy in the animals inoculated with S. pneumoniae, but did not change in those inoculated with P. aeruginosa or E. coli. When splenectomy was performed 2 days after transplantation of X5563, and bacteria were inoculated 7 days after the operation, the survival rate was reduced even in those inoculated with P. aeruginosa or E. coli, and elimination of the bacteria from the blood and liver was delayed. This reduction in resistance to infection was alleviated by oral administration of PSK after the splenectomy.
Insights
Splenectomy in mice reduced survival against Streptococcus pneumoniae and delayed bacterial clearance for Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Escherichia coli. Oral administration of PSK alleviated this splenectomy-induced susceptibility to infection.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Microbiology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- The spleen plays a critical role in immune surveillance and clearance of bacterial pathogens.
- Splenectomy can impair the host's ability to combat infections, particularly those caused by encapsulated bacteria.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of splenectomy on survival rates and bacterial clearance in mice infected with Streptococcus pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Escherichia coli.
- To evaluate the efficacy of polysaccharide-k (PSK) in mitigating the negative effects of splenectomy on infection resistance.
Main Methods:
- Nontumor-bearing C3H/He mice underwent splenectomy.
- Mice were intravenously inoculated with Streptococcus pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, or Escherichia coli.
- In some experiments, splenectomy was performed after tumor cell transplantation (X5563).
- Oral administration of PSK was given post-splenectomy in some groups.
Main Results:
- Splenectomy reduced survival rates in mice infected with S. pneumoniae.
- Splenectomy did not significantly alter survival rates for P. aeruginosa or E. coli infections initially.
- When splenectomy was performed after tumor transplantation, survival rates decreased for P. aeruginosa and E. coli infections, with delayed bacterial clearance from blood and liver.
- Oral PSK administration alleviated the reduced resistance to infection observed after splenectomy.
Conclusions:
- Splenectomy compromises the immune system's ability to clear certain bacterial infections, particularly in the context of other physiological challenges like tumor transplantation.
- PSK demonstrates a potential therapeutic role in restoring immune function and enhancing resistance to infection following splenectomy.