Effects of gypenosides on cellular immunity of gamma-ray-irradiated mice.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the effects of gypenosides (Gs) on cellular immunocompetence in the gamma-ray-irradiated mice.


METHODS
Tested mice of ICR strain were treated continuously with Gs for 10 days before or after 4 Gy gamma-irradiation. Body weight and splenic weight of mice were measured. The blastogenic response of splenocytes to mitogens, such as PHA, Con A and LPS were also detected. The cellular immunocompetence was measured by 3H-thymidine incorporation in each tested mouse.


RESULTS
Body weight as well as splenic weight decreased in gamma-ray-irradiated mice. The blastogenic responses of splenocytes to mitogens were inhibited after gamma-ray irradiation. To treat with Gs was effective to enhance the recovery of body weight, splenic weight and immunocompetence in gamma-ray-irradiated mice from radiation damage.


CONCLUSIONS
Four Gy gamma-ray irradiation could decrease splenic weight and cellular immunocompetence of mice. Gs could help the recovery of the splenic weight and cellular immunocompetence in gamma-ray-irradiated mice.
Hau
D M
DM
Institute of Radiation Biology, National Tsing-Hua University, Taiwan.
Feng
Y
Y
Chen
W C
WC
Lin
I H
IH
Chen
K T
KT
Lin
S S
SS
Wang
M I
MI
D000818:Animals; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal / Q000737:chemistry; D005720:Gamma Rays; D007111:Immunity, Cellular / Q000187:drug effects; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation / Q000187:drug effects; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008813:Mice, Inbred ICR; D011833:Radiation Injuries, Experimental / Q000276:immunology*; D011837:Radiation-Protective Agents / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology*; D012503:Saponins / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology*; D014916:Whole-Body Irradiation
D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal; D011837:Radiation-Protective Agents; D012503:Saponins