A review of the chemistry and pharmacology of the date fruits (Phoenix dactylifera L.)

Today, the scientific community readily embraces the fact that stress and nutrition impact every physiologic process in the body. At last, the specific mechanisms by which stress and nutrition affect the immune function are being elucidated. The debate among animal scientists concerning the definition and quantification of stress as it relates to animal productivity and well-being is ongoing. However, an increased appreciation and understanding of the effects of stress on livestock production has emerged throughout the scientific community and with livestock producers. The intent of this article is to provide an overview of the general concepts of stress and immunology, and to review the effects of stress and nutrition on the immune system of cattle.

https://www.vetfood.theclinics.com/article/S0749-0720(07)00004-7/pdf

Influence of stress and nutrition on cattle immunity.

Selenium and immune responses.

Immunotoxicology of heavy metals.

Effect of beta-carotene, canthaxanthin, lutein, and vitamin E on neonatal immunity of chicks when supplemented in the broiler breeder diets.

Vitamin E and selenium have both been shown to have immunostimulatory effects in a variety of species when administered in quantities in excess of established deitary requirements. Responses to each nutrient appeared to be independent of the nutrition of the other. Deficiencies of vitamin E and selenium conversely caused suppression of the immune response system, particularly, cell mediated mechanisms. Suppression was shown to be associated with serum factors coating lymphocytes from dogs deficient in vitamin E and selenium. Oral supplementation with vitamin E transformed or removed the suppressive factors, dietary selenium had no effect. In vitro peripheral lymphocyte blast transformation tests corroborated observations of in vivo studies. Reducing agents and synthetic anti-oxidants eliminated suppressive effects in vitro. Suppression was most marked in dogs fed diets highest in polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) content, providing conditions most conductive to lipid peroxidation in vivo. The essential fatty acids linoleic and arachidonic have been shown to similarly influence immunoregulatory mechanisms in vivo. The effect may be a direct one since plasma membrane fluidity of lymphoid cells increases the probability of modification of cell--antigen interactions by PUFA. However, their effect may also be an indirect one. PUFA are known precursor substances of E anf F type prostaglandins which have been shown to affect immediate and delayed hypersensitivity by stimulating synthesis of cyclic AMP. More definitive studies are needed to resolve this question.

R D Schultz

Papers

Influence of vitamin E and selenium on immune response mechanisms.