In a message dated 4/14/2003 7:56:16 PM Eastern Standard Time, "Jim Moss"
<jimmoss@...> writes:

>Toxicology
>Volume 187, Issues 2-3 , 3 May 2003, Pages 195-203
>
>  PDF (208 K)
>
>
>
>doi:10.1016/S0300-483X(03)00051-9
>Copyright © 2003 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.
>
>Low-level sarin-induced alteration of immune system reaction in inbred
>BALB/c mice
>
>Jií Kassa, , a, Z. Kroováb, L. evelováa, V. Sheshkob, I. Kasalováb and
>V. Neubauerováb
>
>a Department of Toxicology, Purkyn Military Medical Academy, P.O. Box
>35/T, 500 01, Hradec Králové, Czech Republic
>b Institute of Radiobiology and Immunology, Purkyn Military Medical
>Academy, Hradec Králové, Czech Republic
>
>Received 22 November 2002;  revised 3 February 2003;  accepted 3
>February 2003. ; Available online 15 March 2003.
>
>Abstract
>To study the influence of low-level sarin inhalation exposure on immune
>functions, inbred BALB/c mice were exposed to low concentrations of
>sarin for 60 min in the inhalation chamber. Two concentrations of sarin
>were chosen––asymptomatic concentration (LEVEL 1) and non-convulsive
>symptomatic concentration (LEVEL 2). The evaluation of immune functions
>was carried out using phenotyping of CD3 (T-lymphocytes), CD4 (helper
>T-lymphocytes), CD8 (cytotoxic T-lymphocytes) and CD19 cells
>(B-lymphocytes) in the lungs, blood and spleen, lymphoproliferation of
>spleen cells stimulated in vitro by various mitogens (concanavalin A,
>lipopolysaccharides), phagocyte activity of peritoneal and alveolar
>macrophages, production of N-oxides by peritoneal macrophages and the
>measurement of the natural killer cell activity at 1 week following
>sarin exposure. The results were compared to the values obtained from
>control mice exposed to pure air instead of sarin. The results indicate
>that not only symptomatic but also asymptomatic dose of sarin is able to
>alter the reaction of immune system at 1 week following exposure to
>sarin. While the number of CD3 cells in the lungs was slightly
>decreased, an increase in CD19 cells was observed especially in the
>lungs and blood. The reduced proportion of T-lymphocytes is caused by
>decay of CD4 positive T-cells. Lymphoproliferation was significantly
>decreased regardless of the mitogen and sarin concentration used. The
>production of N-oxides by peritoneal macrophages was stimulated after
>exposure to LEVEL 2 of sarin whereas their ability to phagocyte the
>microbes was increased after exposure to LEVEL 1. The natural killer
>cell activity was significantly higher in the case of inhalation
>exposure of mice to LEVEL 2 of sarin. Thus, not only organophosphorus
>insecticides but also nerve agents such as sarin are able to alter
>immune functions even at a dose that does not cause clinically
>manifested intoxication following the inhalation exposure. Nevertheless,
>the alteration of immune functions following the inhalation exposure to
>a symptomatic concentration of sarin seems to be more pronounced.
>
>Author Keywords: Sarin; Low level inhalation exposure; Immunotoxicity;
>BALB/c mice
>
>http://bellsouthpwp.net/r/e/researchanimal/
>
>or
>
>http://www.afn.org/~afn64689/
>
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