Agents immune system effects

Advances in immunology during the last part of the twentieth century have continued at a rapid rate and cytokines and immune cells having specific markers continue to be defined. A number of natural and synthetic immunotherapeutic agents have been discovered that can modulate components of the normal or aberrant immune system, through stimulation or suppression. However, most of these substances also have inherent adverse side effects. 

Chinese Herbal Medicines. Many traditional Chinese medicines have been screened for radioprotective activity in experimental animals. In one study of more than a thousand Chinese herbs, a number of agents increased the survival rate of dogs exposed to a lethal dose of y-rays by 30—40%, and some symptoms of radiation injury were ameHorated. These effects are potentially related to stimulation of the hemopoietic and immune systems (130). Extracts of five Chinese dmg plants, as weU as aspirin, effectively protected mice exposed to 7.5—8.0 Gy (750—800 rad) of y-radiation, and increased survival rates by 8—50% (131). Several Chinese traditional medicines, adininistered ip before or after irradiation, protected against Hpid peroxidation in a variety of mouse tissues, including BM, Hver, and spleen, as weU as in mouse Hver microsomal suspensions irradiated in vitro (132). 

Immunologic Toxicity—The occurrence of adverse effects on the immune system that may result from exposure to environmental agents such as chemicals. 

Virus is found worldwide. The natural reservoir is the common house mouse (Mus musculus) and the virus is shed in their urine. Infection occurs after inhalation of dust contaminated with excreta from infected mice or from aerosol of animal blood or fluids. Disease can be passed to rodent pets such as mice and hamsters. Does not produce disease in animals. The virus normally has little effect on healthy people but can be deadly for people whose immune system has been weakened. This is a biosafety level 3 agent. 

Nonspecific immunostimulants (Table 9.5) can have widespread effects on the immune system similar to microbially-derived agents, including side effects akin to infection... 

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