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Science Forum Index » Life Extension Forum » Silymarin modulates thymic function
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| kofi |
 Posted: Wed Dec 31, 2003 10:46 pm |
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Planta Med. 2002 Nov;68(11):961-5. Related Articles, Links
Click here to read
Physiological responses to a natural antioxidant flavonoid mixture,
silymarin, in BALB/c mice: II. alterations in thymic differentiation
correlate with changes in c-myc gene expression.
Johnson VJ, Osuchowski MF, He Q, Sharma RP.
Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, College of Veterinary
Medicine, The University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602-7389, USA.
Silymarin is a mixture of bioactive flavonoids isolated from the
seeds and fruits of Milk Thistle [ Silybum marianum (L.) Gaertner]. We
tested the hypothesis that exposure to silymarin will modulate
differentiation and cell selection in the thymus via alterations in gene
expression. Male BALB/c mice were treated intraperitoneally once daily
for five days with 0, 10, 50 or 250 mg/kg of silymarin. Flow cytometric
examination of thymic lymphocyte populations showed that the absolute
numbers of CD4 + and CD8 + positive T-lymphocytes were increased by
silymarin. The c- myc proto-oncogene is important in controlling
differentiation and functions of thymocytes. Treatment with silymarin
resulted in increased c- myc expression in the thymus. In contrast, the
expressions of IL-2 and IL-4 were decreased by silymarin, while MHC II
expression did not change. These results indicate that in vivo exposure
to silymarin influences phenotypic selection processes in the thymus at
doses that may be encountered in natural medicinal use. Further studies
investigating the effects of silymarin on the immune system are
warranted.
PMID: 12451483 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE] |
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