Aqueous extracts from dietary supplements influence the production of inflammatory cytokines in immortalized and primary T lymphocytes

BACKGROUND: Congaplex(® )and Immuplex(® )are dietary supplements that have been traditionally used to support immune system function. The purpose of these experiments was to determine whether Congaplex(® )and Immuplex(® )affect immune function using primary and immortalized T lymphocytes. METHODS: Immortalized CEM and Jurkat T lymphocytes and primary peripheral mononuclear blood cells (PBMCs) were treated with the aqueous extracts from Congaplex(® )and Immuplex(® )to determine the effects of these products on cytokine production in activated T lymphocytes. RESULTS: Congaplex(® )enhanced phytohemagglutinin/phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PHA/PMA) stimulation of both CEM and Jurkat cells as measured by the production of cytokines, while Immuplex(® )suppressed PHA/PMA-induced production of cytokines, with the exception of interleukin (IL)-8 which was enhanced by Immuplex(®). In vitro treatment of PBMCs from 10 healthy donors with Congaplex(® )or Immuplex(® )decreased PHA-stimulated production of interferon (IFN)-γ but increased the production of IL-13. CONCLUSIONS: While the effects of Congaplex(® )and Immuplex(® )differed in these two models, these data demonstrate that the aqueous extracts from these two dietary supplements can affect the inflammatory response of T lymphocytes.