Thymic functions in uremic rats: evidence for thymosin alpha 1 deficiency.
Changes in the circulating lymphocyte populations and thymus glands were studied in rats with experimental chronic renal insufficiency (CRI). Compared to normal or sham-operated animals, rats with CRI had significant reduction in the percentages of circulating T and B lymphocytes. CRI was also associated with marked thymic atrophy and reduction in the numbers of small cortical and medullary thymic lymphocytes. Quantitative microfluorometry revealed a significant reduction in the intrathymic concentration of a potent immunomodulator, thymosin alpha 1 in all uremic animals. There was a significant positive correlation between the percentages of circulating T lymphocytes and the intrathymic concentrations of thymosin alpha 1.
D000818:Animals; D001284:Atrophy; D001402:B-Lymphocytes; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D005470:Fluorometry; D007958:Leukocyte Count; D008297:Male; D051381:Rats; D011917:Rats, Inbred Lew; D013601:T-Lymphocytes; D000077596:Thymalfasin; D013947:Thymosin / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000172:deficiency; D013950:Thymus Gland / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D014511:Uremia / Q000097:blood / Q000503:physiopathology*
D013947:Thymosin; D000077596:Thymalfasin