Objective
Virgin coconut oil (VCO) is used as a traditional
medicine in Asian countries because of its therapeutic effects mediated
through hypolipidemic, antimicrobial and anti‐oxidant properties. The
interactions between the sympathetic noradrenergic nervous system and
the immune cells of the lymphoid organs (thymus and lymph nodes)
modulate immunity to determine health or onset of inflammatory diseases.
The aim of the present study was to investigate the role of VCO in
modulating neuronal and anti‐inflammatory factors in the thymus and
mesenteric lymph nodes (MLN).
Methods
Young male Wistar rats (n = 8/group) were fed with
a control diet or diet supplemented with 4%, 8%, and 16% of VCO. After a
30‐day treatment period, thymus and MLN were isolated to analyze the
expressions of p‐tyrosine hydroxylase, nerve growth factor, p‐nuclear
factor‐κB (p50 and p65), p‐mechanistic target of rapamycin, SIRT1,
p‐LKB1 and intracellular signaling molecules (p‐ERK, p‐Akt, p‐CREB).
Activities of anti‐oxidant enzymes and the extent of lipid peroxidation
were also analyzed.
Results
In the thymus, a VCO diet enhanced the expression of
p‐tyrosine hydroxylase, nerve growth factor and SIRT1, and the
activities of anti‐oxidant enzymes, whereas it decreased the expression
of p‐nuclear factor‐κB (p50 and p65) and the extent of lipid
peroxidation. In the MLN, VCO augmented the expression of p‐tyrosine
hydroxylase, nerve growth factor, p‐mechanistic target of rapamycin,
SIRT1 and p‐LKB1, and activities of anti‐oxidant enzymes, whereas
p‐nuclear factor‐κB (p50 and p65) expression was inhibited. VCO enhanced
the expression of intracellular signaling molecules in both the thymus
and MLN.
Conclusion
Dietary VCO might modulate immune responses by
upregulating neuroprotective factors, and suppressing inflammatory
mediators and oxidative stress through intracellular signaling pathways.
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