Objective To explore the protective effect of camel milk on dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced acute enteritis in mice.
Methods 6-8-week-old male C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into 2 groups. The control group was gavaged with double distilled water, and the experimental group was gavaged with camel milk. After 14 days, the model of acute enteritis was induced by free drinking of 3% DSS aqueous solution. The proportion of immune cells in the experimental group and the control group was analyzed by flow cytometry, and the content of cytokines was determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.
Results Compared with the double distilled water control group, the weight of mice in the camel milk experimental group decreased slowly (P<0.05), the survival rate was improved, and the histological score was decreased (P<0.05). The proportion of helper T lymphocytes (CD4+IFN-γ+) cells increased (P<0.05), and the proportion of helper T lymphocytes (CD4+IL-17+) cells with positive expression of interleukin-17 (IL-17) decreased (P<0.05). P<0.05), IFN-γ in cell culture supernatant was increased (P<0.05), and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and IL-17 were decreased (P<0.05).
Conclusion Camel milk may alleviate DSS-induced acute enteritis in mice by regulating T cell differentiation and cytokine secretion.