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Effect of levamisole on E rosette inhibition by serum of malnourished children
Insights
This study investigated E rosette forming lymphocyte levels in children with kwashiorkor. Levamisole treatment in vitro improved E rosette formation in both normal and kwashiorkor children, suggesting its potential therapeutic role.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Pediatrics
- Nutritional Science
Background:
- E rosette forming lymphocytes are crucial for cell-mediated immunity.
- Kwashiorkor, a severe form of malnutrition, is associated with impaired immune function.
- Serum factors in kwashiorkor may inhibit E rosette formation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess E rosette forming lymphocyte levels in normal and kwashiorkor children.
- To investigate the effect of in vitro gamma globulin (AGG) and sera from kwashiorkor children on E rosette formation.
- To evaluate the impact of levamisole on E rosette levels in these children.
Main Methods:
- Measured E rosette forming lymphocyte levels in 5 normal and 5 kwashiorkor children.
- Incubated lymphocytes with AGG or kwashiorkor sera.
- Assessed the effect of in vitro levamisole addition on E rosette formation.
Main Results:
- Normal lymphocytes showed diminished E rosette formation when treated with AGG or kwashiorkor sera.
- In vitro levamisole significantly increased E rosette levels in normal lymphocytes.
- Kwashiorkor lymphocytes incubated with autologous sera showed low E rosette levels, which improved with levamisole treatment.
Conclusions:
- E rosette formation is impaired in kwashiorkor, potentially due to inhibitory serum substances.
- In vitro levamisole demonstrates a capacity to enhance E rosette levels in both normal and nutritionally compromised children.
- Levamisole may hold therapeutic potential for immune dysfunction associated with kwashiorkor.
Abstract:
E rosette forming lymphocyte levels were measured in 5 normal children (in the presence or absence of levamisole) after in vitro gamma globulin (AGG) or sera containing E rosette inhibitory substance obtained from kwashiorkor children. The experiments were repeated using lymphocytes from 5 kwashiorkor children who showed detectable levels of serum E rosette inhibitory substance. There was a diminution in the E rosette formation of normal lymphocytes treated with AGG or with serum of kwashiorkor children having E rosette inhibitory substance. Addition of levamisole in vitro significantly increased the levels of E rosettes. Similarly low levels of E rosettes were demonstrated when lymphocytes of kwashiorkor children were incubated with autologous sera. Treatment with levamisole in vitro also improved the levels of E rosettes.