Effects of vitamin A on immunological deficiencies in rats with obstructive jaundice.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the ability of an immunostimulant, vitamin A, to reverse dysfunction of the mononuclear phagocyte system and impaired peritoneal neutrophil chemotaxis in rats with obstructive jaundice.


METHODS
Open laboratory study.


METHODS
Medical School, Turkey.


METHODS
60 male Wistar-Albino rats.


METHODS
Two different experimental studies with 30 rats each were performed. Ten of the 20 rats in which the common bile duct was ligated and divided, were given vitamin A (vitamin A group) and the other 10 were given saline (saline group). Ten rats which underwent laparotomy with mobilisation of the common bile duct (sham group) were given saline. Rats in the vitamin A group were given 200 IU/g/day vitamin A and other groups of rats had an equal volume of saline intraperitoneally for 20 days.


METHODS
Function of the mononuclear phagocytic system was studied by the use of 99mTc sulphur colloid uptake, peritoneal neutrophil chemotaxis was measured by the Boyden chamber method, and liver function tests were studied 21 days after operation.


RESULTS
Hepatic uptake of 99mTc sulphur colloid decreased, and lung uptake increased in the saline group compared with the sham and vitamin A groups (p < 0.05). Neutrophil chemotaxis was reduced in the saline and vitamin A groups compared with the sham group (p < 0.05). Serum aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase activities and unconjugated bilirubin concentrations in the saline group were higher than in the vitamin A and sham groups (p < 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
Vitamin A stimulates mononuclear phagocytic function in jaundiced rats. It also improves liver function and may enhance peritoneal neutrophil chemotaxis.
Karan
B
B
4th Surgical Department of Numune Hospital, Ankara, Turkey.
Kama
N A
NA
Hasçelik
G
G
Ercan
M
M
D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000818:Animals; D002634:Chemotaxis, Leukocyte / Q000187:drug effects*; D002779:Cholestasis / Q000276:immunology*; D007728:Kupffer Cells / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology; D008111:Liver Function Tests; D008297:Male; D009504:Neutrophils / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology*; D010587:Phagocytosis / Q000187:drug effects*; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D014801:Vitamin A / Q000494:pharmacology*
D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic; D014801:Vitamin A