Document Type : Research Paper
Authors
1
Department of Animal and Poultry Health and Nutrition, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran.
2
Institute of Biomedical Research, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran.
3
Assistant Professor of Public Health and Food Safety, Aja University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
4
Department of Nutrition, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.
5
Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tehran, Tehran ,Iran.
6
Department of Food Hygiene and Quality Control, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tehran, Tehran ,Iran.
Abstract
Introduction: Rescue and preservation of refugees and disaster victims depend on delivering cost-effective, nutritionally sound food options. Utilizing food items enriched with vital nutrients and immune system fortifiers is imperative to bolster and sustain proper immune system functionality. This study explores the immunomodulatory impacts of two emergency rations on the immune system using a murine animal model. Methods: In this study, four sets of ten Balb/c strain mice aged between 4 and 6 weeks, weighing 17.8 to 18.9 grams, were handpicked. Two of these groups were subjected to treatment diets designated as 1 and 2, while the other two groups were provided with control diets numbered 1 and 2 administered at 3 to 4 grams daily over eight weeks. Following the 8-week dietary intervention, blood samples were collected to evaluate interleukin-4 (IL-4), interferon-gamma (IFN-γ), immunoglobulin G 1 (IgG1), and IgG2 levels. Results: The outcomes revealed that the treatment groups exhibited significantly higher IFN-γ levels than their control counterparts. Additionally, the IFN-γ/IL-4 ratio was consistently elevated within the treatment groups as opposed to the control groups. There was a significant enhancement in cellular immune responses within the treatment group, as indicated by an increase in Th1/Th2 cell ratios. Moreover, in the treatment group, there was a significant increase in IgG2 antibodies and a corresponding decrease in IgG1 antibodies compared to the control group. Conclusions: Based on the results, using emergency rations in mice increased cellular immune responses in both treatment groups.
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