BACKGROUND: Mistletoe extracts are widely used in @entity5 @entity1 due to their cytostatic and immunomodulatory effects. Essential components include mistletoe lectins which act as biomodulators with proinflammatory and apoptosisinducing effects. This study investigates the acute and longterm effects of standardized mistletoe extract (Iscador(R) M spec 5 mg) on thymocyte subpopulations and peripheral T-cells using a @entity19 (Balb/c) model. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Using cell surface @entity1961 /CD8 staining and flow cytometry, we followed the changes in @entity1961 -CD8- @entity14485 ( @entity14485 ), @entity1961 (+)CD8(+) double-positive (DP) and @entity1961 (+) or CD8(+) single-positive (SP) T-cells 24 h after single or repeated injections of 3 different dilutions (1:12, 1:60, 1:300) corresponding to 2.1, 0.42 and 0.08 mg/kg of Iscador. Thymocyte apoptosis was detected by flow cytometry using @entity10440 and @entity2667 . RESULTS: 24 h after a single injection of the 2 lower doses, the number of @entity14485 thymocytes increased significantly with an enhanced ratio of apoptotic cells. Following administration of the lowest dose, in peripheral blood the @entity1961 (+)/CD8(+) ratio was elevated. In the long-term trial, Balb/c @entity19 were treated twice a week with 3 different doses of Iscador +/- 20 mg/kg of @entity619 (DX), resulting in significantly enhanced @entity14485 thymocytes and elevated levels of apoptotic cells after treatment with the 2 lower doses. Iscador also inhibited the DX-induced reduction in the thymic @entity14485 cell count, as well as the DX-induced decrease in the @entity1961 (+)/CD8(+) ratio and @entity1961 (+) in the peripheral blood. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that standardized mistletoe extract modulates proliferation and apoptosis of thymocytes in a dose-dependent manner and may act lymphoprotective during DX treatment.

Effects of mistletoe extract on XXXX thymocytes in vivo and on glucocorticoid-induced cell count reduction.

@entity1 :: ('9606', 'Species') :: ['patients'] @entity2667 :: ('MESH:D011419', 'Chemical') :: ['propidium iodide'] @entity5 :: ('MESH:D009369', 'Disease') :: ['cancer'] @entity19 :: ('10090', 'Species') :: ['mice', 'murine'] @entity14485 :: ('MESH:D005671', 'Disease') :: ['double-negative', 'DN'] @entity619 :: ('MESH:D003907', 'Chemical') :: ['dexamethasone'] @entity1961 :: ('12504(Tax:10090)', 'Gene') :: ['CD4'] @entity10440 :: ('11747(Tax:10090)', 'Gene') :: ['Annexin V']
@entity19 :: (10090,Species) :: ['murine']
