ROLE OF DEOXYCHOLIC ACID IN MODULATING HUMORAL AND CELL MEDIATED IMMUNE SYSTEM

Deoxycholic acid (DCA) is a secondary bile salt that is a major active constituent of Chinese traditional medicine, “Niuhuang” which is known to have immunoregulatory and anti-inflammatory properties. Although data from the literature indicate possible immunomodulatory effects of Deoxycholic acid on the immune system, little has been reported regarding the mode of activity of DCA in modulating the immune system. The objective in the present study was to determine the effect of Deoxycholic acid (DCA) on immune parameters in mice and rats. The current study employed both in-vitro and in-vivo protocols in mice and rats. In-vitro study results indicate that DCA causes splenocyte proliferation at lower doses but is cytotoxic to splenocytes at higher doses were observed in these supernatants that were sensitized with DCA versus splenocytes derived from control animals. Significant differences between normal and DCA treated animals were observed in the following parameters: white blood cell indices, absolute weights of lymphoid organs, and spleen cell proliferation to DCA stimulation. These results indicate that DCA treatment modulates the immune system by activating both the cell-mediated and humoral immune systems.