Analysis of the distribution of peripheral blood lymphocyte subsets associated with chronic ethanol treatment in rats with a disturbed circadian cycle

The present study examined the composition of lymphoid subsets in the perip heral blood of alcohol-preferring (PRF) and non-preferring (NPF) rats, in a n experimental model of alcoholism involving the disruption of the circadia n cycle. The absolute and relative number of lymphocytes in specific subset s (CD3, CD4, CD8, NK, CD45RA) were measured using the flow cytometry method . When control animals with a disrupted circadian cycle (KN) were compared with a normal diurnal. cycle group (KD), it was noticed that this disruptio n led to an increase in the absolute number of lymphocytes T (CD3(+), CD4() and CD8(+) cells) and lymphocytes B (CD45RA(+)). After the period of time when the alcohol preference was seen, there was a change in response - as measured by the numbers and the percentage of lymphoid subsets in NPF rats - involving a lowering of NK and CD45RA(+) cells. It seems that these anima ls exhibit higher sensitivity towards prolonged ethanol intoxication. Howev er, the PRF animals - for whom the analysed values were close to those of t he control group (KN) - tolerated the toxic effects of ethanol better and t his may be related to their genetic predisposition. (C) 2000 Elsevier Scien ce Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.