Efeito do óleo de algodão sobre a atividade funcional de fagócitos do sangue humano

Abstract

Introduction: cottonseed oil represents one of the oldest vegetable oils consumed in Brazil, being extracted from the seeds of the scientifically known cotton as Gossypium hirsutum. This oil is recognized for its antioxidant components related to numerous biological activities, including the modulation of immune cells. However, gaps are still observed in the literature about its potential effect on human blood phagocytes activity for potential gastrointestinal pathogens. Objectives: the present study had as objective to evaluate the effect of undegummed (UCO) and degummed (DCO) cotton oil on the functional activity of human blood phagocytes. Materials and Methods: the collection of blood samples from clinically healthy volunteers were performed by puncture venous. Mononuclear cells were obtained through a density gradient with Ficoll Paque® and previously treated with 50 µL of cotton oil at 100 ng/mL and incubated with enteropathogenic Escherichia coli (EPEC) for phagocytosis evaluation and microbicide index and in the absence of EPEC to determine cell viability analysis. The functional activity of the cells was determined by microscopy of fluorescence method, using the acridine orange and the evaluation of the levels of superoxide anion release by the Ferricytochrome C reduction method. Results: it was found that both the UCO and the DCO presented viability compatible with the control group, with rates higher than 96%. Regarding the analysis of the superoxide anion, it was observed that the two oils studied had not been shown to influence the levels of release of this free radical. However, only the degummed oil showed potential to modulate phagocytosis, with significant increases in your index. While the DCO has not been shown to influence bacterial death, UCO reduced the capacity of phagocytes in this regard, presenting lower rates than the control group. Conclusion: Considering the results obtained, it is concluded that the DCO presented better immunomodulatory characteristics regarding UCO. This suggests the importance of the degumming process for oil purification and also its potential to increase the activity of blood phagocytes.