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(Reference retrieved automatically from Web of Science through information on FAPESP grant and its corresponding number as mentioned in the publication by the authors.)

Low doses of monocrotaline in rats cause diminished bone marrow cellularity and compromised nitric oxide production by peritoneal macrophages

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Author(s):
Hueza, Isis M. [1] ; Benassi, Julia C. [1] ; Raspantini, Paulo C. F. [1] ; Raspantini, Leonila E. R. [1] ; Sa, Lilian R. M. [1] ; Gorniak, Silvana L. [1] ; Haraguchi, Mitsue [2]
Total Authors: 7
Affiliation:
[1] Univ Sao Paulo, Dept Pathol, Sch Vet Med & Anim Sci, Res Ctr Vet Toxicol CEPTOX, BR-05508900 Sao Paulo - Brazil
[2] Biol Inst Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo - Brazil
Total Affiliations: 2
Document type: Journal article
Source: JOURNAL OF IMMUNOTOXICOLOGY; v. 6, n. 1, p. 11-18, 2009.
Web of Science Citations: 2
Abstract

Monocrotaline (MCT) is a pyrrolizidine alkaloid found in a variety of plants. The main symptoms of MCT toxicosis in livestock are related to hepato- and nephrotoxicity; in rodents and humans, the induction of a pulmonary hypertensive state that progresses to cor pulmonale has received much attention. Although studies have shown that MCT can cause effects on cellular functions that would be critical to those of lymphocytes/macrophages during a normal immune response, no immunotoxicological study on MCT have yet to ever be performed. Thus, the aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of MCT on different branches of the immune system using the rat - which is known to be sensitive to the effects of MCT - as the model. Rats were treated once a day by gavage with 0.0, 0.3, 1.0, 3.0, or 5.0 mg MCT/kg for 14 days, and then any effects of the alkaloid on lymphoid organs, acquired immune responses, and macrophage activity were evaluated. No alterations in the relative weight of lymphoid organs were observed; however, diminished bone marrow cellularity in rats treated with the alkaloid was observed. MCT did not affect humoral or cellular immune responses. When macrophages were evaluated, treatments with MCT caused no significant alterations in phagocytic function or in hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2)) production; however, the MCT did cause compromised nitric oxide (NO) release by these cells. (AU)

FAPESP's process: 06/60397-8 - Toxins of importance in veterinary medicine: studies of the immunotoxicity and teratogenicity in rodents and caprines
Grantee:Silvana Lima Gorniak
Support Opportunities: Research Projects - Thematic Grants