The effects of endosulfan on the growth and erythrocyte immune function of Mongolian gerbils (Meriones unguiculatus).
To investigate the effects of endosulfan on erythrocyte immune functions in Mongolian gerbils, 50 Mongolian gerbils were randomly divided into five groups. They were administered endosulfan by gavage at dosages of 0, 0.4, 0.8, 1.6, and 6.4 mg/(kg/d). After 21 days, the daily weight gain and organ weight index were determined, and blood was collected to examine the erythrocyte immune functions. The results indicated that the effect of endosulfan dosage on daily weight gain was not significant. The liver index in the 6.4 mg/(kg/d) endosulfan group was significantly higher than that of the control group. The rosetting ratios of the erythrocyte C(3)b receptor (E-C(3)bR) significantly decreased with increasing endosulfan dosage to 9.94%, 8.59%, 8.13%, 7.84%, and 7.40%, respectively, with respect to the control group. The rosetting ratios of erythrocyte immune complexes (E-ICs) also decreased to 5.13%, 5.09%, 4.38%, 4.34% and 3.83%, respectively, with respect to the control group. There was no significant difference in the natural killer cell (NK) activity regulated by erythrocytes among the five groups. The erythrocyte innate immune inhibitory factor activity in the 1.6 mg/(kg/d) endosulfan group significantly increased, as compared with the activity in the control group. These results suggested that endosulfan can inhibit the erythrocyte immune adherent function, promote the activity of inhibitory factor, and increase the liver weight index; however, there were no significant effects on daily weight gain or the activity of the enhancing factor in Mongolian gerbils.
Department of Laboratory Animal Science, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.
Meng
M
Zhang
Yan-Hua
YH
Wu
Xian-Qing
XQ
Zhou
Huan-Nv
HN
Zhou
D000818:Animals; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004726:Endosulfan / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D005849:Gerbillinae; D007113:Immunity, Innate / Q000187:drug effects*; D007306:Insecticides / Q000494:pharmacology*; D017463:Receptors, Complement 3b / Q000276:immunology; D015430:Weight Gain / Q000187:drug effects*
D007306:Insecticides; D017463:Receptors, Complement 3b; D004726:Endosulfan