Effect of proanthocyanidin-rich extract from Pinus radiata bark on immune response of specific-pathogen-free White Leghorn chickens.

Proanthocyanidins are naturally occurring compounds that are widely found in fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, flowers, and bark. We evaluated the immunomodulatory effects of proanthocyanidin-rich extract (PAE) from Pinus radiata bark in specific-pathogen-free White Leghorn chickens. Proliferation of peripheral blood mononuclear cells was significantly enhanced in chickens treated for 2 wk with 20 mg/kg of PAE. Proliferation of splenocytes and bursal cells was significantly enhanced in chickens treated for 5 wk with 5, 10, and 20 mg/kg of PAE. Thymocyte proliferation was significantly enhanced in chickens treated for 5 wk with 5 and 10 mg/kg of PAE. These effects were markedly enhanced by the presence of lipopolysaccharide, which acted on B cells responsible for humoral immunity, and concanavalin A, which acted directly on T cells involved in cell-mediated immunity. The PAE significantly promoted the expression of T helper 1 cytokine (interferon-γ) and decreased the expression of T helper 2 cytokine (IL-6). Thus, P. radiata PAE has immunomodulatory effects in specific-pathogen-free White Leghorn chickens.