Modulation by Anapsos (Polypodium leucotomos extract) of the antibody responses against the nematode parasite Trichinella spiralis

The inmunomodulant effects of Anapsos, an extract of the naturally occurrin g fern Polypodium leucotomos was assessed in Balb/c mice immunized with, a crude soluble extract (CSE) of Trichinella spiralis L1 larvae, Treatment fr om day 10 to 1 prior to immunization caused a significant reduction (p < 0. 05) in total antibody levels (IgG + M) that was evident front meek 2 onward s. Suppression of the IgG1 response was transient, as serum levels were sig nificantly (p < 0.01) decreased in treated animals during weeks 2 and 3 pos t-immunization, afterwards increasing to values similar to those in the con trol group. An opposite pattern was observed in the IgG2a and IgG 2b profiles where, fo llowing a brief increase in weeks 3 and 1, respectively, the values fell be low those of the control and remained for the whole observation, Anapsos po tentiates the IgG3 response against T. spiralis CSE, Deglycosylation of the CSE used in the ELISA assay significantly reduces the IgG3 recognition cap acity in both control and treated mice, This treatment did not affect the t ime-course of an Intestinal infection by T. spiralis, Copyright (C) 1999 Jo hn Wiley & Sons, Ltd.