Depression of lymphocyte transformation and exacerbation of Behcet's syndrome by ingestion of English walnuts

• Published in: Cellular immunology Vol. 9; no. 2; pp. 263 - 272
• Main Authors: Marquardt, John L., Snyderman, Ralph, Oppenheim, Joost J.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Netherlands Elsevier Inc 01.11.1973
• Subjects: Allergens; Behcet Syndrome - immunology; Blood; Candida albicans - immunology; Complement Fixation Tests; Humans; Lectins; Lymphocyte Activation; Lymphocytes - immunology; Nuts - adverse effects; Plant Lectins; Streptolysins; Tetanus Toxoid; Thymidine - metabolism; Tritium; Umbilical Cord
• ISSN: 0008-8749; 1090-2163
• DOI: 10.1016/0008-8749(73)90077-4

Extracts of English and black walnuts, almonds and pecans stimulated increased incorporation of tritiated thymidine by cultured leucocytes from both normals and patients with Behcet's syndrome. English walnut extract also stimulated newborn cord blood leucocytes, indicating it to be a nonspecific stimulant. Within 2 days after ingestion of English walnuts by normals and patients with Behcet's syndrome, their in vitro lymphocyte reactivity to both the walnut extract and Candida antigens was significantly decreased. This inhibition of lymphocyte transformation may be more prolonged in the patients than in normal subjects and was associated with an increase in frequency and severity of their symptoms. Hypotheses relating the mechanism of action of these two apparently disparate phenomenon are discussed.