Abstract

The aim of this study is to evaluate the neutralization effects of egg yolk immunoglobulin (IgY) and Fab’ fragment against lipopolysaccharide (LPS), and identify possible approaches to prevent and treat LPS related injuries. Mice with third-degree burns covering 30% of the total body surface and exposed to LPS were orally administered with the IgY or Fab’ fragment of egg yolk immunoglobulin at 6, 12, 24 and 48 h after burning. The mortality rates and circulating levels of LPS, tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) were determined. The mortality rate of mice in the IgY-treated groups and Fab’-treated groups were significantly lower when compared with the control groups (without treatment). The levels of LPS, TNF-α and IL-6 in the IgY-treated group and Fab’-treated group were lower than those in the control group, and Fab’-treated group posses much lower levels of LPS, TNF-α and IL-6 than IgY-treated group. The IgY and Fab’ fragment of egg yolk immunoglobulin raised against LPS may be used to inhibit and treat tissue injury caused by LPS. IgY technology has significant future opportunities for the prevention and treatment of LPS related infectious gastrointestinal diseases in humans and animals.

Key words: Lipopolysaccharide, egg yolk immunoglobulin, interleukin-6, TNF-alpha.