DISTURBANCES IN THE IMMUNE SYSTEM OF EXPERIMENTAL ANIMALS IN THE EARLY AND DELAYED PERIODS UNDER CONDITIONS OF ACUTE EXPOSURE TO DEPLETED URANIUM

Relevance. Intoxication by depleted uranium is possible at uranium mining and processing enterprises, as well as during military conflicts.

Intention. To identify possible immunological disorders that develop after acute exposure to depleted uranium in the early and delayed periods.

Methods. The study involved 30 outbred rats and 60 СВА mice. Soluble uranium (VI) salts and microcrystalline dispersed mixed uranium oxide were administered via intratracheal + intragastric + cutaneous routes. The relative amount of T-lymphocytes, apoptotic and necrotic cells, the production of tumor necrosis factor, the level of circulating immune complexes, the phagocytic activity of neutrophils, the development of a delayed-type hypersensitivity reaction, the production of immunoglobulins were evaluated in this study.

Results and Discussion. 14 days after the acute exposure to depleted uranium salts, T-helpers and the functional activity of T-lymphocytes decreased; antibody production and the number of cytotoxic T-cells increased as well as the necrotic cells and apoptotic death of immunocytes. All identified changes were transient. The indices returned to normal 60 days after the exposure.

Conclusion. The results can be used to provide medical assistance to persons after acute exposure to depleted uranium.

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