JALALI M, NEYESTANI T, KESHAVARZ S, SIASSI F. THE EFFECT OF ASCORBIC ACID ON BLOOD HISTAMINE LEVEL AND DELAYED-TYPE HYPERSENSITIVITY IN GUINEA PIGS. Med J Islam Repub Iran 2001; 14 (4) :351-354
URL:
http://mjiri.iums.ac.ir/article-1-836-en.html
From the Department of Nutrition and Biochemistry, School of Public Health & Institute of Health Research, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, P.o.Box 14155-6446, Tehran
Abstract: (5388 Views)
The effect of ascorbic acid on blood histamine level and delayed-type
hypersensitivity was studied in thirty male guinea pigs. Animals were sensitized
to B.C.G., trichophytin and mallein during the first four weeks. The diet
was ad libitum during this period. After this "sensitization period" animals
w er e tested intradermally with tuberculin, trichophytin and mallein. The number
and diameter of positive delayed type hypersensitivity responses (antigenic
and cumulative scores) were evaluated as an effector state of cell mediated
immunity. Animals were fed low, adequate or high ascorbate diets (0.5,
2.0 or 50 mg ascorbate x 100g body wt-1xd-1) for the next four weeks. Antigenic
and cumulative scores were evaluated after this period once again.
Mean liver ascorbate paralleled dietary intake and the values obtained
w er e significantly different in the three groups. Blood histamine was significantly
depressed in the high ascorbate group compared to the adequate and
low ascorbate groups, and liver ascorbate was inversely correlated to blood
histamine levels (r= -0.97, p<0.001). Although mean antigenic and cumulative
scores in the low ascorbate group were lower than those of adequate and
high ascorbate groups, the differences were not significant.
It was concluded that ascorbate may enhance immune function through
detoxifying histamine, an immunodepressor compound. However, the
immunostimulatory effect of ascorbate on cell mediated immunity was not
confirmed in this study. In chronic ascorbate deficiency, there may be a predisposition
to infectious diseases due to depressed immune function, at least
because of disturbances in metabolism of other nutrients influencing immune
responsiveness, especially iron and folate.