[Effect of glucosamine sulfate on the immunological function of normal mice].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effects of glucosamine sulfate on the immunity of normal mice. METHODS: Female ICR mice were divided by weight into four groups, including low dose group (150 mg x kg(-1)), medium dose group (300 mg x kg(-1)), high dose group (900 mg x kg(-1)) and normal control group. Spleen and thymus were weighted 30 days later, cell mediated immunity, humoral immunity, phagocytosis of mononuclear phagocyte and the activity of NK cell were assayed. RESULTS: The thymus index in high dose group was decreased significantly in compared with control group (P < 0.05). Compared with the control group, the delayed type hypersensitivity, serum hemolysin and the ability of antibody production were improved significantly in glucosamine sulfate groups (P < 0.05). The activity of NK cell in high dose group was higher than that of the control group (P < 0.05). The proliferation of spleen lymphocyte, the rate of phagocytosis and the carbon particle clearance index in all glucosamine sulfate groups were similar to those in the control group. CONCLUSION: The immune function of normal mice could be enhanced by glucosamine sulfate, including cellular immunity, humoral immunity and the activity of NK cell.