EFFECTS OF VITAMIN-A ON IMMUNOLOGICAL DEFICIENCIES IN RATS WITH OBSTRUCTIVE-JAUNDICE

Objective: To investigate the ability of an immunostimulant, vitamin A , to reverse dysfunction of the mononuclear phagocyte system and impai red peritoneal neutrophil chemotaxis in rats with obstructive jaundice . Design: Open laboratory study. Setting: Medical School, Turkey. Mate rial: 60 male Wistar-Albino rats. Interventions. Two different experim ental studies with 30 rats each were performed. Ten of the 20 rats in which the common bile duct wase ligated and divided, were given vitami n A (vitamin A group) and the other 10 were given saline (saline group ). Ten rats which underwent laparotomy with mobilisation of the common bile duct (sham group) were given saline. Rats in the vitamin A group were given 200 IU/g/day vitamin A and other groups of rats had an equ al volume of saline intraperitoneally for 20 days. Main outcome measur es: Function of the mononuclear phagocytic system was studied by the u se of Tc-99m sulphur colloid uptake, peritoneal neutrophil chemotaxis was measured by the Boyden chamber method, and liver function tests we re studied 21 days after operation. Results: Hepatic uptake of Tc-99m sulphur colloid decreased, and lung uptake increased in the saline gro up compared with the sham and vitamin A groups (p < 0.05). Neutrophil chemotaxis was reduced in the saline and vitamin A groups compared wit h the sham group (p < 0.05). Serum aspartate aminotransferase and alan ine aminotransferase activities and unconjugated bilirubin concentrati ons in the saline group were higher than in the vitamin A and sham gro ups (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Vitamin A stimulates mononuclear phagocyti c function in jaundiced rats. It also improves liver function and may enhance peritoneal neutrophil chemotaxis.