Cellular Immune Parameters Research Articles

Effect of preoperative immunonutrition and other nutrition models on cellular immune parameters

To evaluate the effects of preoperative immunonutrition and other nutrition models on the cellular immunity parameters of patients with gastrointestinal tumors before surgical intervention. In addition, effects on postoperative complications were examined. Patients with gastrointestinal tumors were randomized into 3 groups. The immunonutrition group received a combination of arginine, fatty acids and nucleotides. The second and third group received normal nutrition and standard enteral nutrition, respectively. Nutrition protocols were administered for 7 d prior to the operation. Nutritional parameters, in particular prealbumin levels and lymphocyte subpopulations (CD4+, CD8+, CD16+/56+, and CD69 cells) were evaluated before and after the nutrition protocols. Groups were compared in terms of postoperative complications and duration of hospital stay. Of the 42 patients who completed the study, 16 received immunonutrition, 13 received normal nutrition and 13 received standard enteral nutrition. prealbumin values were low in every group, but this parameter was improved after the nutritional protocol only in the immunonutrition group (13.64+/-8.83 vs 15.98+/-8.66, P=0.037). Groups were similar in terms of CD4+, CD16+/56, and CD69+ prior to the nutritional protocol; whereas CD8+ was higher in the standard nutrition group compared to the immunonutrition group. After nutritional protocols, none of the groups had an increase in their lymphocyte subpopulations. Also, groups did not differ in terms of postoperative complications and postoperative durations of hospital stay. Preoperative immunonutrition provided a significant increase in prealbumin levels, while it did not significantly alter T lymphocyte subpopulation counts, the rate of postoperative complications and the duration of hospital stay.

Immune Response of Theileria sp.‐infected Sheep to Recombinant Theileria Proteins

Sheep and goats in northwest China suffer from theileriosis from infection with Theileria sp. (China), resulting in large economic losses. To investigate the immune response to infection with Theileria sp. (China), parameters of cellular and humoral immunity of experimentally infected sheep against two recombinantly expressed Theileria proteins were investigated. The in vitro proliferative response of blood mononuclear cells to a recombinant T. annulata membrane protein and a recombinant Theileria sp. (China) homologue to T. annulata surface protein, both putative membrane proteins, was significantly elevated and significant amounts of specific immunoglobulins were produced against both.

Effects of dietary vitamin D 3 administration on innate immune parameters of seabream ( Sparus aurata L.)

The present study assesses the in vivo effect of vitamin D 3 or cholecalciferol on some innate immune parameters of the gilthead seabream ( Sparus aurata L.). Cholecalciferol was orally administered to seabream specimens in a commercial pellet food supplemented with 0 (control); 3750; 18,750 or 37,500 U kg −1 and fish were sampled after 1, 2 and 4 weeks of treatment. Serum and head– kidney leucocytes were obtained and humoral (peroxidase and complement activity) and cellular (leucocyte peroxidase content, phagocytic, respiratory burst and natural cytotoxic activities) innate immune parameters were measured. Diet supplementation with 37,500 U kg −1 cholecalciferol for 2 or 4 weeks resulted in a significant increase in phagocytic ability or serum peroxidase content, respectively, whereas the 3750 and 18,750 U kg −1 supplemented diets led to significant increases in the phagocytic capacity of leucocytes at week 2 compared with the values found in control fish. Natural cytotoxic activity was increased in leucocytes from fish fed for 1 week with 3750 U kg −1 cholecalciferol. No significant differences were observed in complement activity or in respiratory burst activity in the assayed conditions. These results suggested that dietary vitamin D 3 administration has an effect on the innate immune parameters of gilthead seabream. The immunostimulant effect was greater on the cellular innate immune parameters assayed, suggesting that similar receptors to those present in mammals are involved in the action of this vitamin in the fish immune system.

Immunological response to mistletoe (Viscum album L.) in cancer patients: a four‐case series

European mistletoe (Viscum album) has been used in complementary cancer treatment, but little is known concerning its effects on immunological parameters, although there is evidence that Viscum may stimulate the immune system. In this study, a trial was conducted with cancer patients to determine whether Viscum album extracts could improve the results of immune tests. These were: white blood cell count (leukocytes, neutrophils, lymphocytes), CD4+ and CD8+ T-lymphocytes, intradermal tests of delayed hypersensitivity (candidin, trichophytin, purified protein derivative-PPD), complement C3 and C4, and immunoglobulin A, G and M. Four patients received seven doses of subcutaneous Viscum album 20 mg, twice weekly. Immunological tests were carried out before and after treatment, and an increase in several parameters of humoral and cellular immunity were shown. Apart from reactions around the injection sites, treatment was well tolerated and all patients benefited from it. These results suggest that Viscum album can enhance humoral and cellular immune responses in cancer patients, but further studies attesting to the possible clinical impact of these immunological effects are necessary.

Short-Term Dietary Intake of C18:1 Trans Fatty Acids Decreases the Function of Cellular Immunity in Healthy Young Men

Aim: In this study, we tested the impact of short-term intake of increased amounts of C18:1 trans fatty acids (TFAs) on parameters of cellular and humoral immunity in healthy young men. Methods: Twenty-seven healthy young men were subsequently exposed to a standard diet for 7 days and an experimental TFA-enriched diet for 4 days. The mean energy content of these diets was 2,453 and 2,455 kcal/day, with 10, 35 and 55% of energy from proteins, fats and carbohydrates, respectively. Standard diet contained about 0.8 g and experimental diet 10.4 g TFAs. Plasma levels of C18:1 TFAs and immunological parameters were measured. Results: The 4-day increased consumption of C18:1 TFAs led to a significant decrease in mitogen-induced CD69 expression on CD8+ T cells as well as decreased phagocytic activity on neutrophils. After returning to the participants’ habitual diet (1 week after the end of the experimental diet), we observed a significant decrease in the mean level of circulating immune complexes. Concentrations of plasma immunoglobulins remained unchanged throughout the study. Conclusions: Acute impact of higher dietary C18:1 TFA intake on phagocytosis and cell-mediated immunity seems to be suppressive. This finding differs from results describing proinflammatory effects associated with long-term exposure to TFAs.

Immune response, growth and survival ofLabeo rohitafingerlings fed with levamisole supplemented diets for longer duration

The study was to determine the effect of long-term administration of different dosages of levamisole on growth, immune response and disease resistance against Aeromonas hydrophila & Edwardsiella tarda in Labeo rohita fingerlings. Fish were fed with four different dosages of levamisole (0, 125, 250 and 500 mg kg−1 diet) for 56 days. Different serum biochemical and haematological parameters such as serum total protein content, albumin content, globulin content, albumin/globulin ratio, glucose content, leucocytes count; cellular immune parameters including superoxide anion production, phagocytic activities, lymphokine production index; humoural immune parameters including lysozyme, complement and serum bactericidal activities were evaluated after 14 days interval. After 56 days, fish were divided into two subgroups under each treatment group for challenge with pathogens A. hydrophila and E. tarda. The cumulative mortality (%) and agglutinating antibody titre was recorded on 28th day postchallenge. WBC count, phagocytic ratio, lymphokine production index, lysozyme activity and serum bactericidal activity were increased upon administration of levamisole dosages for long term. However, the growth performance and survival against pathogens was not significantly changed over 56 days administration of levamisole. But incorporation of moderate dosage of levamisole for 42 days results better immune response without effect on growth and survival of L. rohita fingerlings.

Perturbations in immune responses induced by concurrent subchronic exposure to arsenic and endosulfan

The metalloid arsenic and the chlorinated insecticide endosulfan are common environmental contaminants. Humans, animals, and birds are exposed to these chemicals through water and food. Although health effects due to either arsenic or endosulfan exposure are documented, the toxicological impact of co-exposure to these environmental pollutants is unpredictable and unknown. The present study was undertaken to assess whether concurrent exposure to arsenic and endosulfan induces significant alterations in immunological functions. Day-old chicks were exposed to 3.7 ppm of arsenic via drinking water and to 30 ppm of endosulfan-mixed feed either individually or concurrently for up to 60 days. All the chicks were vaccinated with Ranikhet disease virus (F-strain; RD-F) on days 1 and 30. During the course of study and at term, parameters of cellular and humoral immunity were determined. None of the treatments altered the absolute body weight or body weight gain, except arsenic significantly reduced weight gain on day 60. Absolute, but not the relative, weights of spleen, thymus and bursa of Fabricius were significantly reduced in all the treatment groups. The metalloid and insecticide combination significantly depressed the ability of peripheral blood and splenic lymphocytes to proliferate in response to antigen RD-F and mitogen Con A. The delayed type hypersensitivity response to 2,4-dinitro-1-chlorobenzene or to PHA-P was also significantly decreased. Nitric oxide production by RD-F or lipopolysaccharide-stimulated peripheral blood and splenic mononuclear cells was significantly suppressed following concurrent exposure to arsenic and endosulfan. Furthermore, the combined exposure also decreased the antibody response to RD-F. The suppression of cellular and humoral immune responses was also evident following administration of individual compounds, and it was not exacerbated following concurrent exposure. To our knowledge, this is the first report describing the suppression of immune responses following exposure to arsenic alone or in combination with endosulfan at environmentally realistic concentrations in avian species. Therefore, immunotoxicological effects induced by concurrent exposure to arsenic and chlorinated pesticides should be considered when assessing the risk to human and animal health.

Recipient Immune Repertoire and Engraftment Site Influence the Immune Pathway Effecting Acute Hepatocellular Allograft Rejection

As novel acute allograft rejection mechanisms are being discovered, determining the conditions that promote or subvert these distinct rejection pathways is important to interpret the clinical relevance of these pathways for specific recipient groups as well as specific tissue and organ transplants. We have employed a versatile hepatocellular allograft model to analyze how the host immune repertoire and immune locale influences the phenotype of the rejection pathway. In addition, we investigated how peripheral monitoring of cellular and humoral immune parameters correlates with the activity of a specific rejection pathway. Complete MHC mismatched hepatocellular allografts were transplanted into immune competent CD4-deficient, CD8-deficient, or C57BL/6 hosts to focus on CD8-dependent, CD4-dependent, or combined CD4 and CD8-dependent alloimmunity, respectively. Hepatocellular allografts were transplanted to the liver or kidney subcapsular space to investigate the influence of the immune locale on each rejection pathway. The generation of donor-reactive DTH, alloantibody, and allospecific cytotoxicity was measured to assess both cellular and humoral immunity. Graft-infiltrating lymphocytes were phenotyped and enumerated in each recipient group. In the presence of CD8+ T cells, cytolytic cellular activity is the dominant mechanism of graft destruction and is amplified in the presence of CD4+ T cells. The absence of CD8+ T cells (CD8 KO) results in potent humoral immunity as reflected by high levels of cytotoxic alloantibody and graft rejection with similar kinetics. Transplant to the liver compared to the kidney site is distinguished by more rapid kinetics of rejection and alloimmunity, which is predominately cell mediated rather than a mix of both humoral and cell-mediated immunity. These studies define several rejection mechanisms occurring in distinct immune conditions, highlighting the plasticity of acute allograft rejection responses and the need to design specific monitoring strategies for these pathways to allow dynamic immune assessment of clinical transplant recipients and targeted immunotherapies.

Cellular immune parameters associated with improved long-term survival in advanced stage breast cancer patients after active immunization with a HER2-specific vaccine

3015 Background: Clinical trials of HER2 vaccines have demonstrated that breast cancer patients can be immunized against HER2 and HER2-specific T cells persist long after vaccination. Immunization with HER2 vaccines is associated with the development of epitope spreading; a broadening of immunity to epitopes throughout the HER2 protein. We evaluated the clinical impact of vaccine induced HER2 specific cellular immunity in breast cancer patients immunized with HER2 vaccines. Methods: 75 subjects from 3 phase I-II vaccine trials were analyzed. T cell responses to HER2 peptides, intracellular (ICD) protein and tetanus toxoid (TT) were assessed by tritiated thymadine incorporation. Subjects were included in the analysis if they had complete baseline labs and received at least three vaccinations. Any SI >2.0 was considered positive. Epitope spreading was defined as a positive post-vaccination response to a non-vaccinating peptide. In addition, the relationship between T cell response and overall survival (OS) was assessed (n=50). Patients were followed a median of 2.7 years. Results: There was a significant difference in level of HER2 ICD immunity after vaccination between stages. There were also significant differences in peptide specific SI (p=0.034) and presence of epitope spreading (p=0.006) between stages. HER2 peptide-specific SI was a significant predictor of epitope spreading (p=0.031). Subjects with epitope spreading had significantly higher peptide responses (mean SI: 11.5) than subjects without epitope spreading (mean SI: 3.3) (p<0.001). Univariate analysis demonstrated patients with epitope spreading had longer OS than patients without epitope spreading (p=0.029, HR=0.50), and increased HER2, but not TT, specific T cell immunity, was associated with improved survival (p=0.025, HR=0.94). Multivariate analysis indicated that HER2, but not TT, specific T cell immunity, was an independent variable (p=0.021, HR=0.86) for prediction of OS in advanced stage subjects. Conclusions: These data suggest that vaccine-induced HER2 specific cellular immune response, with epitope spreading, may have clinical benefit and should be further evaluated in the context of phase II studies. No significant financial relationships to disclose.

Monospecies and multispecies probiotic formulations produce different systemic and local immunostimulatory effects in the gilthead seabream ( Sparus aurata L.)

The effects of the oral administration of heat-inactivated Lactobacillus delbrüeckii ssp. lactis and Bacillus subtilis, individually or combined, on gilthead seabream immune responses were investigated both systemically and locally in the gut. In a first experiment, seabream (65 g) were fed for 3 weeks different diets supplemented with 1 × 10 7 CFU g −1 Lactobacillus, 1 × 10 7 CFU g −1 Bacillus, or 0.5 × 10 7 CFU g −1 Lactobacillus plus 0.5 × 10 7 CFU g −1 Bacillus. Controls were fed non-supplemented diet. Six fish per group were sampled at the end of the trial and some humoral and cellular systemic innate immune parameters were evaluated. Feeding the mixture of the two killed bacteria species significantly increased natural complement, serum peroxidase and phagocytic activities compared with controls. In a second experiment, juvenile seabream (13 g) were fed for 3 weeks the same experimental diets and total serum IgM and numbers of gut IgM + cells and acidophilic granulocytes were evaluated. All these parameters were significantly higher in the multispecies probiotic group compared to monospecies and control fed groups. The advantages provided by administration of killed probiotic bacteria as well as multispecies versus monospecies formulations are discussed in light of the results obtained and for their possible application in aquacultural practices.

Blood metal levels and metal-influenced immune functions of harbour seals in captivity

Immunological blood parameters and the effects of environmental pollutants on the immune system are important to assess the health status of seals. Animals living permanently in seal centres are useful for development and validation of diagnostic tools for free-ranging animals. In this study, parameters of cellular immunity as well as metal concentrations in blood and metal influence on cell proliferation of seven seals from a seal centre were investigated repeatedly using multi-element analysis and a lymphocyte proliferation assay. The metal concentrations, except for tin and chromium, were in general comparable to those of free-ranging animals of the North Sea. The unstimulated and mitogen-stimulated lymphocyte proliferation showed strong intra- and inter-individual variability, which reflected variability in activation of the immune status. Furthermore, both immunosuppressive and stimulative influences of metals on lymphocytes were found. Summarising, the methods used in this investigation provided useful information on these animals, and their application to free-ranging animals can be recommended.

Oral delivery of live yeast Debaryomyces hansenii modulates the main innate immune parameters and the expression of immune-relevant genes in the gilthead seabream ( Sparus aurata L.)

Microorganisms isolated from fish can be used as prophylactic tools for aquaculture in the form of probiotic preparations. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of dietary administration of the live yeast Debaryomyces hansenii CBS 8339 on the gilthead seabream ( Sparus aurata L.) innate immune responses. Seabream were fed control or D. hansenii-supplemented diets (10 6 colony forming units, CFU g −1) for 4 weeks. Humoral (seric alternative complement and peroxidase activities), and cellular (peroxidase, phagocytic, respiratory burst and cytotoxic activities) innate immune parameters and antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT)) were measured from serum, head-kidney leucocytes and liver, respectively, after 2 and 4 weeks of feeding. Expression levels of immune-associated genes, Hep, IgM, TCR-β, NCCRP-1, MHC-IIα, CSF-1R, C3, TNF-α and IL-1β, were also evaluated by real-time PCR in head-kidney, liver and intestine. Humoral immune parameters were not significantly affected by the dietary supplementation of yeast at any time of the experiment. On the other hand, D. hansenii administration significantly enhanced leucocyte peroxidase and respiratory burst activity at week 4. Phagocytic and cytotoxic activities had significantly increased by week 2 of feeding yeast but unchanged by week 4. A significant increase in liver SOD activity was observed at week 2 of feeding with the supplemented diet; however CAT activity was not affected by the dietary yeast supplement at any time of the experiment. Finally, the yeast supplemented diet down-regulated the expression of most seabream genes, except C3, in liver and intestine and up-regulated all of them in the head-kidney. These results strongly support the idea that live yeast Debaryomyces hansenii strain CBS 8339 can stimulate the innate immune parameters in seabream, especially at cellular level.

Cellular Immunity in Women with Recurrent Genital Candidosis

ABSTRACTSome recent studies point to a possibility that disturbances during the cellular immune reaction could be the cause of recurrent vulvovaginal candidosis (RVC).Our goal in this study was to verify the difference of systemic cellular immune reactivity in a group of patients with recurrent genital candidosis by comparing them with a healthy control group.The study of cellular immunity parameters has included 20 women with RVC in the remission phase and 20 healthy women of the control group. The objective of the study is to examine the interferon-gamma (IFN-γ), interleukin-2 (IL-2) and interleukin-4 (IL-4) production in the cultures of specifically, by Candida albicans antigens (heat killed blastospores—HKB), and non-specifically, by Concavalin-A (Con-A) stimulated mononuclear peripheral blood cells (PBMC) of both examined groups. These cytokines have been registered by the quantative immunoenzyme method Quantikine (R&D system, Minneapolis, USA).The comparison of produced IFN-γ in cultures of HKB and Con-A stimulated PBMC in women with RVC and the corresponding results of the control group has showed neither significant exceptions nor statistically significant differences. Same results were observed for IL-2 and IL-4 in cultures of Con-A stimulated PBMC. On the other hand, IL-2 and IL-4 have not been found in HKB stimulated PBMC cultures.There were no differences discovered in quantities of IFN-γ, IL-2 and IL-4 produced by stimulated PBMC concerning women with RVC and healthy women.

Association of IL-12+ DC with High CD3+CD4-DR+ Lymphocyte Counts in Long-term HIV-infected Hemophilia Patients With Clinically Stable Disease

We investigated dendritic cell (DC) subsets as well as cellular and humoral immune parameters in long-term HIV-infected hemophilia patients with clinically stable disease. DC subsets were determined by their function to produce either IL-10 or IL-12. CD11c(+)CD83(+)CD40(+)IL-10(+) and CD11c(+)CD83(+)CD40(+)IL-12(+) DC were studied in freshly obtained blood samples of 28 HIV(+) and 15 HIV(-) patients and 39 healthy controls using four-color flow cytometry, and were analyzed in relation to blood lymphocyte subpopulation counts, proportions of IgG-coated CD4(+) blood lymphocytes, neopterin, and HIV-1 viral load in the plasma, and in vitro responses of patient lymphocytes to mitogens. Proportions and ratios of IL-10(+) DC and IL-12(+) DC were similar in HIV(+) and HIV(-) patients and healthy controls. Whereas IL-12(+) DC in HIV(+) patients were associated with high CD3(+)CD4(-)DR(+) lymphocyte counts, IL-10(+) DC were associated with the proportion of IgG-coated CD4(+) blood lymphocytes. These data suggest that long-term HIV-infected hemophilia patients with clinically stable disease have normal levels of functional IL-10(+) DC and IL-12(+) DC that might be involved in halting the progression of disease.

Effects of Dietary Arginine on Hematological Parameters and Innate Immune Function of Channel Catfish

The effects of elevated dietary arginine on the hematology and immune function of juvenile channel catfish Ictalurus punctatus were evaluated by means of in vivo and in vitro experiments. Healthy juvenile channel catfish (average weight, 34.8 g) were fed casein-gelatin-based diets containing 28% crude protein and supplemented with crystalline L-arginine (ARG) at 0.5, 1, 2, or 4% of diet. An intact-protein diet containing 1.3% arginine also was included to investigate the effects of amino acid form (crystalline-free amino acids versus intact protein). Each purified diet was fed to apparent satiation to triplicate groups of fish for 6 weeks. At the end of the experimental feeding period, the fish were injected intraperitoneally with two doses (3 d apart) of 2 mg lipopolysaccharide/kg body weight. Six days after the initial injection, the fish were anesthetized and tissue samples were obtained to evaluate hematological and humoral and cellular immune parameters, including phagocytic activity of peritoneal macrophages, hemoglobin, hematocrit, mean corpuscular volume (MCV), blood cell counts, plasma protein, and hepatic superoxide dismutase activity. High dietary levels (4% ARG) resulted in significantly higher levels of hemoglobin, hematocrit, and circulating erythrocytes. Dietary ARG did not significantly affect MCV and the number of circulating leukocytes, lymphocytes, eosinophils, and monocytes. In vitro, a moderate level (2 mM) of ARG in the culture media was found to be ideal in significantly enhancing phagocytosis. This study demonstrates that some aspects of the immune system of channel catfish are sensitive to changes in dietary ARG.

Effect of the pineal hormone melatonin on teleost fish phagocyte innate immune responses after in vitro treatment

Although neuroendocrine-immune system interaction has been shown in teleost fish, no study has evaluated the role of melatonin (Mel) on fish immune response even considering that it is affected by the photoperiod. Gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata L.) and sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax L.) head-kidney leucocytes were incubated with Mel (0-control-, 20 pM-400 microM) and leucocyte viability and main innate cellular immune parameters were evaluated. Overall, seabream and sea bass head-kidney leucocytes incubated with low (similar to physiological) doses of Mel unchanged the innate immune response, whereas very high (pharmacological) dosages did. Phagocytosis was not affected by any Mel treatment while the peroxidase activity was significantly inhibited with the highest Mel concentration. In contrast, the sea bass respiratory burst activity was increased in a dose-dependent manner with 400 nM Mel or higher. Further studies are needed to clarify whether there are interactions between the fish pineal gland, and its hormone Mel, and the fish immune system.

Immunomodulatory effects of the herbicide propanil on cytokine production in humans: In vivo and in vitro exposure

Propanil, 3,4-dichloropropionanilide, a commonly used herbicide, has been shown to induce effects on the mouse immune system. The aim of this study was to assess the immunotoxicity of propanil in occupationally exposed agricultural workers and to characterize its molecular mechanism of action. Seven agricultural workers intermittently exposed to propanil and 7 healthy matched controls entered the study. Data were collected through physical examination, and laboratory investigations addressed at the main serum, cellular, and functional immune parameters. The levels of exposure were assessed by determining the urine concentration of the major propanil metabolite, 3,4-dichloroaniline. The investigation of serum, cellular, and functional immune parameters suggested that propanil exposure results in a modest immunomodulatory effect, characterized by an increase in the plasma level of IgG 1 and in LPS-induced IL-6 release and, by a reduction in PHA-induced IL-10 and IFN release, associated with a reduced IFN/IL-4 ratio. As observed, following in vivo exposure, in vitro treatment of human peripheral blood leukocytes with propanil resulted in a dose-dependent reduction in PHA-induced IFN-gamma and IL-10 production, while LPS-induced TNF-α production was not affected indicating a direct effect of propanil on selected immune parameters. We demonstrated that propanil interfering with PHA-induced intracellular calcium increase modulated IL-10 and IFN-gamma transcription and translation, which indicates that propanil acts on early events triggered by PHA. Overall, our results suggest that human exposure to propanil has slight immunomodulatory effects, and point out that the inhibition of the PHA-induced intracellular calcium rise is an important target of propanil. These findings improve our understanding of the mechanism underlying propanil-induced immunotoxicity.

The importance of T-lymphocyte subsets on overall survival of colorectal and gastric cancer patients

The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of cellular immunity parameters on overall survival of colorectal and gastric cancer patients after surgery. The parameters of cellular immunity (CD3+, CD4+, CD8+, CD20+, and CD16+) were determined by immunofluorescence method. Cox regression analysis showed no impact of the estimated preoperative and postoperative parameters of cellular immunity on overall survival of colorectal cancer patients and similarly of gastric cancer patients in stage II. However, the analysis showed that the survival of colorectal and gastric cancer patients in stage III depended on immunological parameters determined before surgery: CD3+ (P=0.007 and P=0.007, respectively), CD4+ (P=0.021 and P=0.011, respectively), and CD8+ (P=0.047 and P=0.007) counts. Only the survival of colorectal cancer patients depended on natural killer cell number (P=0.009). Kaplan-Meier analysis showed that patients with stage III colorectal and gastric cancer had better survival rates when absolute number of CD3+ lymphocytes, determined before surgery, was greater than 0.8 x 10(9)/L, CD4+--greater than 0.25 x 10(9)/L, CD8+--greater than 0.3 x 10(9)/L. Colorectal cancer patient survived longer when the number of natural killer cells CD16+ was more than 0.25 x 10(9)/L. This study suggests that higher levels of the absolute number of lymphocyte subsets before surgery have a beneficial effect on overall survival of gastric and colorectal cancer patients in stage III.

Chernobyl: Current situation of non-cancer diseases

A study of non-cancer effects was based on the data from the State Chernobyl registry of Ukraine. The relative risks of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases are higher in the groups exposed in 250–700 mGy range as compared with the group exposed under 100 mGy. Neurologic and psychological changes rank second and third in structure of morbidity. Relative risks of mortality from circulation diseases were shown to be increased in recovery operation workers of 1986–1987. A case-control study of 14,731 clean-up workers by means non-threshold multi-factor non-linear model has demonstrated a dose-dependent additive-relative risk of radiation cataract being equal to 3.451 (1.347–5.555) per 1 Gy. Changes of proliferative activity of haemopoietic and stromal progenitor cells of exposed in 1986–1987, wavy variations of cellular and humoral immunity parameters were still detected 15–18 years after the exposure.

Assessment of In Vivo Effects of the Prestige Fuel Oil Spill on the Mediterranean Mussel Immune System

A laboratory experiment was carried out to study immune function alteration of the mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis when exposed to the Prestige oil spilled in November 2002 on the northwestern Spanish coast. Mussels were maintained for 4 months in tanks with flowing seawater and with 1, 2, and 0 kg (controls) Prestige fuel oil. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon concentrations, which were determined in gills and digestive glands, were higher in digestive glands. The methylphenantrene and dibenzothiophene profiles confirmed the real exposure of mussels to the fuel oil. Immune data analysis revealed that no differences between fuel-treated and control animals were found in the cellular immune parameters measured (hemocyte viability, phagocytic activity, nitric oxide production, and chemiluminescence emission). In addition, histologic observations did not reveal tissue lesions in any of the samples, probably because of the short time of fuel-oil exposure. In contrast, significant differences were found in serum protein concentration and lysozyme activity between the fuel-treated mussels and controls. However, these humoral immune parameters were dependant on numerous environmental and physiologic factors, so it was difficult to ascertain the real effect of the fuel oil on their variability. Because hemocytes are the primary line of defense of bivalve mollusks, the results obtained in the present study suggest that the mussel immune system was not significantly affected by exposure to the Prestige fuel oil.