Effects of Feeding Apostichopus japonicus Gonads on Immune Modulation in Mice

The basic nutritional and major functional components of the lyophilized powder of Apostiopsis japonicus gonads were determined. The effects of Apostiopsis japonicus gonads on immune function in mice were also investigated. Results showed that both the female and male gonads were rich in nutrients and functional components. The protein content of the male gonad was as high as 74.54 g/100 g, which was significantly higher than that of the body wall of Apostiopsis japonicus (P < 0.05). The polysaccharide content of the female gonad was comparable to that of the body wall. The saponin content was as high as 4.77 g/100 g, which was more than ten times higher than that of the body wall. Compared with the control group, feeding Apostiopsis japonicus gonads could significantly increase the thymus and spleen indices of mice and improve the activity of natural killer (NK) cell. In the mice fed with the male gonad, the NK cell activity increased to (47.19 ± 4.99)%, the serum level of interleukin-6 (IL-6) was (209.75 ± 24.82) pg/mL, the activities of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) in serum and liver increased, and the content of malondialdehyde (MDA) in liver decreased to (1.98 ± 0.25) nmol/mg. In conclusion, feeding Apostiopsis japonicus gonads could improve immune function in mice, and the effect of the male gonad was more pronounced.