Hyperimmune Eggs
"Hyperimmune" or "immune" eggs are laid by hens that typically have been stimulated multiple times with whole or parts of inactivated microorganisms, or purified antigens. The preparation may contain different species or strains of organisms (polyvalent “hyperimmune” egg) (1), or pathogens of a single group (monovalent “hyperimmune” egg (2).
Stimulating the hens results in eggs that contain immunoglobulins (antibodies) of many classes, with the dominant class being the unique avian IgY* class (3). Upon ingestion, much of the immunoglobulin is apparently still able to bind antigen despite exposure to digestive enzymes (4).
Along with the production of antibodies, stimulation of the hens results in generation of small molecules that appear to have pro-, and anti-inflammatory properties (5). By up- or down-regulating immunological responses, especially those of an autoimmune or inflammatory nature, these factors appear to help the body initiate defenses against pathogens, mutating cells, and help maintain immune homeostasis.
[During inflammatory responses, different categories of effector immune cells communicate with one another via biological mediators (e.g., cytokines, ecosanoids) to modulate inflammatory processes (6). Inflammatory processes appear to the hallmarks of many acute and chronic conditions (7) including atherosclerosis (8-11), diabetes (8-10), and obesity (9-13).]
Polyvalent hyperimmune egg appears to have immunoregulatory properties that modulate autoimmune (14,15), joint (14,15), cardiovascular (16), and gastrointestinal (17,18) function. Hyperimmune egg appears to “balance” immunologic responses, rather than “boost” or unnecessarily “enhance” these processes.
Additionally, major quality of life changes are experienced by individuals with HIV/AIDS (19, unpublished). Of note also are the dramatic differences seen in athletic performance, endurance, recovery and strength in individuals consuming hyperimmune egg (20, 21). [These results may be due to down-regulation of proinflammatory cytokines, which have been shown to result in fatigue (22)].
Interestingly, the total antibody content of eggs from hyperimmunized hens as measured by ELISA is essentially identical to the total amount of antibody found in conventional table eggs. However, individual titres to selected antigens may vary between the two types of eggs [unpublished studies]. Although both table eggs and "hyperimmune" eggs contain identical immunoregulatory factors, there is evidence that eggs from "hyperimmunized” chickens contain many-fold greater concentrations of certain specific factors compared to typical eggs [5, unpublished].
== References: ==
1 Greenblatt HC Adalsteinsson O Kagen L. Administration to arthritis patients of a dietary supplement containing immune egg: an open label pilot study J Med Food 1998 1:171
2 Kollberg H et al. Oral administration of specific yolk antibodies (IgY) may prevent Pseudomonas aeruginosa infections in patients with cystic fibrosis: A phase I feasibility study Pediatr Pulmonol 2003 35:433
3 Carlander D. Avian IgY antibody: In vitro and in vivo Doctoral Thesis Uppsala Univ 2002 53pp. http://publications.uu.se/abstract.xsql?dbid=1710
4 Hammarström L et al. Systemic and topical immunoglobulin treatment in immunocompromised patients Immunol Rev 1994 139:43
5 US Patent # 6,420,337 Highly purified cytokine activating factor and methods of use; US Patent #7,083,809 Purified cytokine inhibitory factor
6 Luster AD. 1998 N Engl J Med 338:436
7 Ferencík M et al. Inflammation--a lifelong companion. Attempt at a non-analytical holistic view. 2007 Folia Microbiol (Praha) 52:159
8 Ziegler D. Type 2 Diabetes as an inflammatory cardiovascular disorder Cur Mol Med 2005 5:309
9 Shoelson SE et al. Obesity, inflammation, and insulin resistance Gastroenterology. 2007 132:2169
10 Calabro P Yeh ET. Obesity, inflammation, and vascular disease: the role of the adipose tissue as an endocrine organ Subcell Biochem 2007 42:63
11 Vela D et al. The role of periadventitial fat in atherosclerosis Arch Pathol Lab Med. 2007 131:481
12 Wellen KE Hotamisligil GS. Inflammation, Stress, and Diabetes J Clin Invest 2005 115:1111
13 Shoelson SE, et al. Obesity, inflammation, and insulin resistance Gastroenterology 2007 132:2169
14 Trentham D et al. Hyperimmune egg in the collagen-induced arthritis model and anti-inflammatory assays. Int Soc Rheumatol Ther (ISRT) 1998 [Abstract] p.23
15 Greenblatt HC Adalsteinssön O Kagen L. Administration to Arthritis Patients of a Dietary Supplement Containing Immune Egg: An Open-Label Pilot Study J Medicinal Food 1998 1:171-179
16 Karge, WH et al. A pilot study on the effect of hyperimmune egg protein on elevated cholesterol levels and cardiovascular risk factors J Medicinal Food 1999 2:51 63
17 Jacoby HI Moore G Wnorowski G. Inhibition of diarrhea by immune egg: a castor oil mouse model J Nutraceut Function Med Foods 2001 3:47
18 US Pat # 5,772,999 Method of preventing, countering or reducing NSAID-induced gastrointestinal damage by administering milk or egg products from hyperimmunized animals
19 Kizito FB. Improvements in quality of life for HIV/AIDS patients using hyperimmune egg 3rd Int AIDS Soc Conf HIV Pathogenesis and Treatment 2005 Abst #. MoPe11.2C43
20 Scheett TP et al. Increased muscular strength and enhanced muscle repair with hyperimmune egg protein supplementation National Strength & Conditioning Association Conference Supplement 2007 p.768
21 Scheett TP et al. Hyperimmune egg protein decreases submaximal heart rate and increases peak power J Am College Sports Med 2007 39:S36522
22 Netea MG et al. Increased voluntary exercise in mice deficient for tumour necrosis factor-alpha and lymphotoxin-alpha Eur J Clin Invest. 2007 37:737
A specific class of immunoglobulin unique to birds, reptiles and amphibians typically compartmentalized in the yolk of the egg. The IgY isotype exhibits the functional characteristics of IgA, IgG, and IgE (1,2). Orally administered IgY has shown prophylactic and therapeutic promise in the treatment of infectious diseases (3-9). IgY is often used as a diagnostic reagent (9-10) since there appears to be less cross-reactivity of antibodies with mammalian proteins and IgY does not bind with mammalian rheumatoid factors, Fc-receptors, nor with proteins A or G. This typically results in a lower rate of false positive reactions in certain immunochemical assays (11).
1 Aveskogh M , Hellman L . Evidence for an early appearance of modern post-switch isotypes in mammalian evolution; cloning of IgE, IgG and IgA from the marsupial Monodelphis domestica Eur J Immunol 1998 28:2738
2 Warr GW , Magor KE , Higgins DA . IgY: clues to the origins of modern antibodies Immunol Today 1995 16:392
3 Nilsson E , Amini A , Wretlind B , Larsson A . Pseudomonas aeruginosa infections are prevented in cystic fibrosis patients by avian antibodies binding Pseudomonas aeruginosa flagellin J Chromatogr B Analyt Technol Biomed Life Sci 2007 Jun [Epub ahead of print]
4 Nilsson E et al. More than 10 years' continuous oral treatment with specific immunoglobulin Y for the prevention of Pseudomonas aeruginosa infections: a case report J Med Food 2007 10:375
5 Schade R et al. Chicken egg yolk antibodies (IgY-technology): a review of progress in production and use in research and human and veterinary medicine Altern Lab Anim 2005 33:129
6 Larsson A , Carlander D . Oral immunotherapy with yolk antibodies to prevent infections in humans and animals Ups J Med Sci 2003 108:129
7 Carlander D. Doctoral Thesis Uppsala Univ 2002 53pp. http://publications.uu.se/abstract.xsql?dbid=1710
8 Mine Y, Kovacs-Nolan J. Chicken egg yolk antibodies as therapeutics in enteric infectious disease: A Review J Med Food 2002 5:159
9 Cova L . DNA-designed avian IgY antibodies: novel tools for research, diagnostics and therapy J Clin Virol. 2005 34 Suppl 1:S70-4
10 Jintaridth P . et al. Chicken egg yolk antibodies specific for the gamma chain of human hemoglobin for diagnosis of thalassemia Int J Hematol 2006 83:408
11 http://www.genwaybio.com/gw_file.php?fid=6002
Hyperimmune Egg ISBN 1-58054-361-8 |
Hyperimmune egg is an intriguing technology that appears to support immune function. This paperback reviews the workings of the immune system and the importance of it being in balance. Clinical information (with references) on the use of hyperimmune egg for joint, digestive, and cardiovascular function is covered, as well as comparisons of hyperimmune egg to bovine products and regular chicken eggs. |
