Abstract:

The immune organ index, carbon clearance rate, delayed type hypersensitivity, and serum hemolysin (HC50) in
mice were compared and analyzed after the administration of chitosan (CS), carboxymethyl chitosan (CMCS), quaternary
ammonium salt of chitosan (HACC) and hydroxypropyl chitosan (HPCS) for 30 days. The values of all investigated
parameters were higher in mice administered with CS or its water-soluble derivatives compared with the control group. A
significant difference (P < 0.05) or extremely significant difference (P < 0.01) in all immune indexes except for thymus
index and binaural weight difference was found for the HACC and HPCS groups compared with the control group. Comparing
the CMCS group with the control group, a significant difference in carbon clearance rate and the content of serum hemolysin
(P < 0.05) was observed. These results indicated that the administration of chitosan and its water-soluble derivatives could
enhance the immune function of mice in the decreasing order of HPCS > HACC > CMCS > CS. This may be associated with the
introduction of chemical groups.

Key words: chitosan, water-soluble derivatives, immune function