Open AccessDisturbances in the functioning of the immune system as a consequence of a prolonged expоsure to low dosages of depleted uranium
Author(s) -
К. И. Стосман,
К. В. Сивак,
T. N. Savateeva-Ljubimova
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
mediko-biologičeskie i socialʹno-psihologičeskie problemy bezopasnosti v črezvyčajnyh situaciâh
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.147
H-Index - 2
eISSN - 2541-7487
pISSN - 1995-4441
DOI - 10.25016/2541-7487-2018-0-3-73-79
Subject(s) - immune system , uranium , dose , toxicant , tumor necrosis factor alpha , toxicity , cd8 , immunology , pharmacology , chemistry , mononuclear phagocyte system , antibody , toxicology , medicine , biology , materials science , metallurgy
Relevance. Depleted uranium (DU) is actively used in many industries. The problems of the safety of personnel employed at industrial facilities of this kind continue to remain relevant. Experimental studies have shown the toxicity of uranium compounds, especially its soluble forms. Intention. To identify immunological disorders developing after chronic exposure to low-dose depleted uranium. Methods. The study involved 30 outbred rats and 60 mice CBA. Uranyl acetate dehydrate was used as a toxicant and administered intragastrically for 120 days. The relative number of T-lymphocytes, apoptotic and necrotic cells, the production of TNF-α, IL-1, -4, -6-β, the level of circulating immune complexes, the phagocytic activity of neutrophils, delayed-type hypersensitivity reactions, and production of immunoglobulins were assessed. Results and Discussion. According to the tests on rats, phagocytic-metabolic activity of neutrophils as well as TNF-α production increased, CD4+/CD8+ ratio decreased, and the early stage apoptosis of mononuclear cells was activated after chronic exposure to uranium salts. Most detected changes were dose-dependent. In experiments on mice it was shown that uranyl acetate dehydrate at a dose of 5 mg/kg had no effect on the functional activity of immunocytes, while the index of the delayed-type hypersensitivity reaction and IgG titers increased in animals which were administered DU at a dose of 10 mg/kg. Conclusion. The results can be used to provide specialized medical care after chronic exposure to depleted uranium.