BCG vaccine modulates immune system of rats with

Abstract

The study was carried out to investigate the effect of BCG vaccination on the functio­nal activity of immune blood cells in rats with alimentary osteoporosis. The findings indicate that chronic vitamin D deficiency led to osteoporosis and caused immunological disturbances. In particular, phagocytic activity of granulocytes and monocytes and their abi­lity to produce reactive oxygen species were found to be significantly decreased. It was also demonstrated a marked (2-fold) lowering of NAD(P)H-quinone oxidoreductase acti­vity in leukocytes. Additional BCG vaccination of rats with developed alimentary osteoporosis resulted in excessive stimulation of non-specific immune response. Phagocytic acti­vity of monocytes and granulocytes increased to values exceeding those in control rats. BCG induced elevation of NAD(P)H-quinone oxidoreductase activity in phagocytes that was accompanied by intensification of reactive oxygen species formation. These data suggest that administration of BCG increases the activity of phagocytic cells in the blood of osteoporotic rats, thus, leading to activation of non-specific immune defense.

Keywords

• BCG vaccine
• alimentary osteoporosis
• cell immunity