Immunological responses to chronic heat exposure and food restriction in rats

R. Chayoth, N. V. Christou, C. W. Nohr, J. F. Yale, P. Poussier, M. Grose, M. Montambault, W. Chan, E. B. Marliss

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

8 Scopus citations

Abstract

Immunological variables were studied in rats chronically exposed to high environmental temperature (35°C). Responses were compared with those of rats at 25°C both fed ad libitum and pair fed to the decreased intake found in heat-exposed rats. Heat-exposed rats showed slower delayed-type hypersensitivity responses to keyhole limpet hemocyasis. They showed lower counts of peripheral blood total T cells (OX19+) as well as helper T cells (W3/25+) and smaller numbers of splenic T cells. The thymus was decreased in size. Increased levels of serum IgG antitetanus toxoid antibodies were found in heat-exposed rats. [3H]-thymidine incorporation into Concanavalin A (ConA)-stimulated splenic lymphocytes was decreased in pair-fed rats but not significantly altered in heat-exposed rats compared with controls. Heat exposure alters some aspects of both cellular and humoral immune function in a manner different from that induced by comparable food restriction without heat exposure.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)361-367
Number of pages7
JournalAmerican Journal of Clinical Nutrition
Volume48
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - 1 Jan 1988
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Medicine (miscellaneous)
  • Nutrition and Dietetics

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