EFFECT OF LIVER-PROTECTING SEMPERVIVUM-TECTORUM EXTRACT ON THE IMMUNEREACTIVITY OF SPLEEN-CELLS IN HYPERLIPEMIC RATS

The pathobiological role of free radicals was demonstrated in hyperlip idaemia and in steatotic liver as well as in the immune response of ly mphocytes and monocytes. Hyperlipidaemia has a suppressive effect on c ellular immune responses, inhibits the mitogen induced lymphoblast tra nsformation, diminishes the tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) p roduction of spleen macrophages and enhances spontaneous interleukin 1 (IL-1) activity. A freeze dried extract of Sempervivum tectorum has a ntioxidant, free radical scavenger and membrane stabilizing effects. T he measured serum parameters were changed favourably after Sempervivum tectorum extract treatment. The beneficial effect of Sempervivum tect orum extract was also observed on the Con A stimulated blast transform ation of splenocytes, on the lipopolysaccharide (LPS) triggered TNF-al pha activity and on the spontaneous IL-1 activity of spleen macrophage s of hyperlipidaemic rats. The natural scavenger capacity was increase d by treatment, initiating restoration of liver function.