ACTIVITY OF HOST DEFENSE FUNCTIONS IN STRESS CONDITIONS AND THEIR CORRECTION BY THE DERINAT DRUG

Abstract

Abstract. Studies in altered functional activity of immunocompetent cells (peritoneal macrophages, lymphocytes and natural killer cells of the spleen), as well as concentrations of glucocorticoid hormones and testosterone were performed in peripheral blood of rats, subjected to cold stress at different regimens. Moreover, a corrective effect of Derinat drug upon the mentioned indices of host defense functions was evaluated. The changes in functional activity of immunocompetent cells were found to be dependent on intensity of stress application, whereas alterations in blood hormone level did not depend on these conditions, i.e., application of both stress models revealed increased corticosterone concentrations and reduced testosterone levels in rat blood. A novel protective effect of Derinat under stress conditions was shown which manifested as a prevention of stress-induced testosterone decrease in blood. In present study, we have demonstrated both immunomodulatory effects and normalizing action of Derinat upon changed activities of immunocompetent cells induced by stress factors. The results obtained allow us to conclude that the strategy of correcting altered functional activity of immune system cells may include, e.g., application of native DNA preparations. (Med. Immunol., vol. 10, N 4-5, pp 431-438).

Keywords

• derinat
• immunocompetent cells
• hormones
• stress