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Fucoxanthin in association with Vitamin c acts as modulators of human neutrophil function

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Abstract

Introduction

Neutrophils provide the first line of defense of the innate immune system by phagocytosing, killing and digesting bacteria and fungi. During this process, neutrophils produce reactive oxygen species (ROS), which in excess, can damage the cells themselves and surrounding tissues. The carotenoid fucoxanthin (Fc) has been studied concerning its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory actions. Vitamin c (Vc) also demonstrates potent antioxidant action. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of Fc (2 μM) in association with Vc (100 μM) on functional parameters of human neutrophils in vitro.

Materials and methods

We evaluated the migration and phagocytic capacity, intracellular calcium mobilization, ROS production (O ·−2 , H2O2, HOCl), myeloperoxidase activity, profile of antioxidant enzymes, phosphorylation of p38 MAPK and p65 NFκB subunit, GSH/GSSG ratio and release of pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α and IL-6) in neutrophils under different stimuli.

Results

We verified an increase in phagocytic capacity for all treatments, together with an increase in intracellular calcium only in cells treated with Fc and Fc + Vc. ROS production was reduced by all treatments, although Vc was a better antioxidant than Fc. Phosphorylation of the p-65 subunit of NFκB was reduced in cells treated with Fc + Vc and release of TNF-α and IL-6 was reduced by all treatments. These findings indicate that the regulation of inflammatory cytokines by neutrophils is not exclusively under the control of the NFκB pathway. Fc reduced the activity of some antioxidant enzymes, whereas Vc increased GR activity and the GSH/GSSG ratio.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the results presented in this study clearly show an immunomodulatory effect of the carotenoid fc alone or in combination with Vc on the function of human neutrophils.

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Acknowledgments

This research was supported by the São Paulo Research Foundation (FAPESP, Process No. 2011/00880-5) and the Universidade Cruzeiro do Sul.

Conflict of interest

All authors of the manuscript declare that there are no actual or potential conflicts of interest of a financial or personal nature or relationships with other people or organizations that could inappropriately influence, or be perceived to have influenced our work.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Postgraduate Program, Health Sciences, CBS, Universidade Cruzeiro do Sul, Av. Regente Feijó, 1295, São Paulo, SP, 03342000, Brazil

    A. C. Morandi, N. Molina, B. A. Guerra, A. P. Bolin & R. Otton

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  1. A. C. Morandi
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  2. N. Molina
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  3. B. A. Guerra
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Correspondence to R. Otton.

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Morandi, A.C., Molina, N., Guerra, B.A. et al. Fucoxanthin in association with Vitamin c acts as modulators of human neutrophil function. Eur J Nutr 53, 779–792 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00394-013-0582-y

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