Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Apricot Kernel Oil Ameliorates Cyclophosphamide-Associated Immunosuppression in Rats

  • Original Article
  • Published:
Lipids

Abstract

The effects of dietary apricot kernel oil (AKO), which contains high levels of oleic and linoleic acids and lower levels of α-tocopherol, were evaluated in a rat model of cyclophosphamide-induced immunosuppression. Rats had intraperitoneal injection with cyclophosphamide to induce immunosuppression and were then infused with AKO or normal saline (NS) for 4 weeks. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays were used to detect antimicrobial factors in lymphocytes and anti-inflammatory factors in hepatocytes. Hematoxylin & eosin staining was conducted prior to histopathological analysis of the spleen, liver, and thymus. Significant differences were observed between the immune functions of the healthy control group, the normal saline group, and the AKO group. Compared to the normal saline-treated group, lymphocytes isolated from rats administered AKO showed significant improvement in immunoglobulin (Ig)A, IgM, IgG, interleukin (IL)-2, IL-12, and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) levels (p < 0.01). Liver tissue levels of malondialdehyde and activities of superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase indicated reduced oxidative stress in rats treated with AKO (p < 0.01). Dietary AKO positively affected rat growth and inhibited cyclophosphamide-associated organ degeneration. These results suggested that AKO may enhance the immune system in vivo. These effects may reflect the activities of intermediate oleic and linoleic acid metabolites, which play a vital role in the immune system, and the α-tocopherol in AKO may further enhance this phenomenon. Thus, the use of AKO as a nutritional supplement can be proposed to ameliorate chemotherapy-associated immunosuppression.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4

Similar content being viewed by others

Abbreviations

AA:

Arachidonic acid

AKO:

Apricot kernel oil

BMC:

Bone marrow karyocyte counts

BS:

Blank group

CLA:

Conjugated linoleic acid

GSH-Px:

Glutathione peroxidase

Ig:

Immunoglobulin

IL:

Interleukin

MC:

NS-treated group

MDA:

Malondialdehyde

PC:

Platelet counts

SF:

AKO-treated group

SOD:

Superoxide dismutase

TBA:

Thiobarbituric acid

TNF-α:

Tumor necrosis factor-α

WBC:

White blood cell counts

References

  1. Rosenow S, Kooistra KL, Powis G, Van Dyke RA (1986) Increased toxicity of the antitumor drug cyclophosphamide in mice in the presence of the volatile anesthetic agent halothane. Cancer Chemoth Pharm 16(1):35–42

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  2. Fraiser LH, Kanekal S, Kehrer JP (1991) Cyclophosphamide toxicity. Drugs 42(5):781–795

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  3. Mičetić-Turk DM, Pogačar MŠ (2010) Nutritional modulation of immune function and nutrigenomics. Zdravniški Vestnik 79(11):782–789

    Google Scholar 

  4. Słotwiński R, Słotwińska SM (2012) Immunomodulation in nutritional treatment- effects on the immune system and future directions. Cent Eur J Immunol 37(1):75–80

    Google Scholar 

  5. Calder PC (2007) Immunonutrition in surgical and critically ill patients. Brit J Nutr 98(S1):S133–S139

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  6. Heyland DK, Novak F, Drover JW, Jain M, Su X, Suchner U (2001) Should immunonutrition become routine in critically Ill patients? A systematic review of the evidence. JAMA 286(8):944–953

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  7. Beale RJ, Bryg DJ, Bihari DJ (1999) Immunonutrition in the critically ill: a systematic review of clinical outcome. Crit Care Med 27(12):2799–2805

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  8. Singer P, Shapiro H, Theilla M, Anbar R, Singer J, Cohen J (2008) Anti-inflammatory properties of omega-3 fatty acids in critical illness: novel mechanisms and an integrative perspective. Intens Care Med 34(9):1580–1592

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  9. Gabrial GN, El-Nahry FI, Awadalla MZ, Girgis SM (1981) Unconventional protein sources: apricot seed kernels. Z Ernährungswiss 20(3):208–215

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  10. Zhang QP, Liu DC, Liu S, Liu N, Wei X, Zhang AM, Liu WS (2014) Genetic diversity and relationships of common apricot (Prunus armeniaca L.) in China based on simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers. Genet Resour Crop Ev 61(2):357–368

  11. Liu W, Liu N, Zhang Y, Yu X, Sun M, Xu M, Zhang Q, Liu S (2011) Apricot cultivar evolution and breeding program in China. In XV International Symposium on Apricot Breeding and Culture 966:223–228

    Google Scholar 

  12. Tian HL, Zhang H, Zhan P, Tian FW (2011) Composition and antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of white apricot almond (Amygdalus communis L.) oil. Eur J Lipid Sci Tech 113(9):1138–1144

  13. Yamasaki M, Chujo H, Hirao A, Koyanagi N, Okamoto T, Tojo N, Oishi A, Iwata T, Yamauchi-Sato Y, Yamamoto T, Tsutsumi K, Tachibana H, Yamada K (2003) Immunoglobulin and cytokine production from spleen lymphocytes is modulated in C57BL/6 J mice by dietary cis-9, trans-11 and trans-10, cis-12 conjugated linoleic acid. J Nutr 133(3):784–788

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  14. Yamasaki M, Kitagawa T, Koyanagi N, Chujo H, Maeda H, Kohno-Murase J (2006) Dietary effect of pomegranate seed oil on immune function and lipid metabolism in mice. Nutrition 22(1):54–59

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  15. Bazin H, Beckers A, Querinjean P (1974) Three classes and four (sub) classes of rat immunoglobulins: IgM, IgA, IgE and IgG1, IgG2a, IgG2b, IgG2c. Eur J Immunol 4(1):44–48

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  16. Gultekin F, Delibas N, Yasar S, Kilinc I (2001) In vivo changes in antioxidant systems and protective role of melatonin and a combination of vitamin C and vitamin E on oxidative damage in erythrocytes induced by chlorpyrifos-ethyl in rats. Arch Toxicol 75(2):88–96

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  17. Hodges DM, DeLong JM, Forney CF, Prange RK (1999) Improving the thiobarbituric acid-reactive-substances assay for estimating lipid peroxidation in plant tissues containing anthocyanin and other interfering compounds. Planta 207(4):604–611

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  18. Paglia DE, Valentine WN (1967) Studies on the quantitative and qualitative characterization of erythrocyte glutathione peroxidase. J Lab Clin Med 70(1):158–169

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  19. Woolliams JA, Wiener G, Anderson PH, McMurray CH (1983) Variation in the activities of glutathione peroxidase and superoxide dismutase and in the concentration of copper in the blood in various breed crosses of sheep. Res Vet Sci 34(3):253–256

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  20. Griffin GE (1997) World without cancer: the story of vitamin B17. Aware Journalism

  21. Oberley LW, Oberley TD (1988) Role of antioxidant enzymes in cell immortalization and transformation. Mol Cell Biochem 84(2):147–153

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  22. Li Y, Wang X, Li N, Li J (2012) Fish oil improves hemodynamic stabilization and inflammation after resuscitation in a rat model of hemorrhagic shock. Lipids Health Dis 11(1):5–8

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  23. Mozaffarian D, Wu JHY (2012) (n-3) fatty acids and cardiovascular health: are effects of EPA and DHA shared or complementary? J Nutr 142(3):614S–625S

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  24. Erf GF, Bottje WG, Bersi TK, Headrick MD, Fritts CA (1998) Effects of dietary vitamin E on the immune system in broilers: altered proportions of CD4 T cells in the thymus and spleen. Poultry Sci 77(4):529–537

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

This research was conducted with support from the National Nature Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 31000766 and No. 31260374) and the Pairing Program of Shihezi University with Eminent Scholar in Elite University (SDJDZ201517).

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Food College of Shihezi University, Shihezi, Xinjiang, People’s Republic of China

    Honglei Tian, Haiyan Yan, Siwei Tan, Ping Zhan, Xiaoying Mao, Peng Wang & Zhouping Wang

  2. Hangzhou Hospital for the Prevention and Treatment of Occupational diseases, Hanzhou, Zhejiang, People’s Republic of China

    Siwei Tan

  3. State Key Laboratory of Food Science and Technology, School of Food Science and Technology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu, People’s Republic of China

    Zhouping Wang

Authors
  1. Honglei Tian
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Haiyan Yan
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Siwei Tan
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Ping Zhan
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Xiaoying Mao
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Peng Wang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  7. Zhouping Wang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding authors

Correspondence to Siwei Tan or Ping Zhan.

Ethics declarations

Conflict of interest

None of the authors have any potential financial conflict of interest related to this manuscript.

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Tian, H., Yan, H., Tan, S. et al. Apricot Kernel Oil Ameliorates Cyclophosphamide-Associated Immunosuppression in Rats. Lipids 51, 931–939 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11745-016-4166-5

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11745-016-4166-5

Keywords

Search

Navigation