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Ethanol-induced alterations in lymphocyte function in the guinea pig.
Alcoholism, Clinical and Experimental Research
|January 1, 1984
Summary
Chronic alcohol use in guinea pigs impaired lymphocyte response to mitogens, potentially explaining increased infection risk in alcoholics. This controlled model studied cellular immunity without confounding factors.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Toxicology
- Gastroenterology
Background:
- Alcoholism is linked to increased infections and liver damage, possibly due to altered immune responses.
- Existing human studies are confounded by malnutrition, socioeconomic factors, and severe liver dysfunction.
Purpose of the Study:
- To establish a controlled guinea pig model of chronic ethanolism.
- To selectively investigate the cellular immune system's response to ethanol exposure.
Main Methods:
- Guinea pigs received daily intraperitoneal injections of ethanol or a control solution for five weeks.
- Serum ethanol and acetaldehyde levels were monitored.
- Lymphocyte response to mitogens (phytohemagglutinin, concanavalin A) and specific antigens was assessed, along with other immune cell counts and functions.
Main Results:
- Chronic ethanol administration achieved sustained serum ethanol and acetaldehyde levels.
- A significant decrease in lymphocyte response to phytohemagglutinin and concanavalin A was observed in ethanol-treated animals (p < 0.05).
- No significant alterations were found in T & B cell counts, skin test reactivity, white blood cell counts, total lymphocyte counts, or migration inhibitory factor production.
Conclusions:
- This controlled animal model demonstrates that chronic ethanolism significantly depresses lymphocyte blastogenic response.
- This immune system impairment may contribute to the heightened susceptibility to intracellular infections observed in alcoholics.