[Immunomodulating effect of berlithione in clean-up workers of the Chernobyl nuclear plant accident]

Effects of the antioxidant berlithione (alpha-lipoic acid) on indices for the immune system, such as complement titer, C3-component of the complement, reaction of the autorosette formation were studied together with those on parameters characterizing cell-bound and humoral immunity. 11-12 years following the Chernobyl accident, nine liquidators of its aftermaths were examined, aged 51.8 +/- 7.2 years, body mass (BM) 27.3 +/- 4.2 kg/m2, radiation dose 73.2 +/- 35.3 rem, who took part in the elimination of the effects of the accident for no more than 3 months in 1986--at the beginning of 1987. All examinees were prescribed the drug berlithione (alpha-lipoic acid), 600 mg per day over two months. A two-month treatment with berlithione, 600 mg/day, resulted in normal levels of indices for unspecific defence; among these were phagocytic activity of neutrophiles, content of the complement, its C3-component, and reaction of autorosette formation in the accident effects liquidators, but no impact was found on cell-mediated and humoral immunity.