Immune system spleen

Immune system Spleen and thymic atrophy Impaired immune function... 

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). 

NF-kB is also crucial for the proper functioning of the adaptive immune system not only by acting on the immune cells themselves but also by participating in the development and organization of the secondary lymphoid organs (lymph nodes, spleen, and Peyer s patches), in which both B and T lymphocytes undergo maturation and activation. NF-kB proteins have an important role in lymphocyte development and... 

The CB2 receptor has a more limited distribution, being localized predominantly in the immune system. Among the human leukocytes, B lymphocytes express the highest levels of CB2, followed respectively by natural killer cells, monocytes, polymorphonuclear neutrophils, T8 lymphocytes, and T4 lymphocytes. It is also found in the lymph nodes, spleen, tonsils, and thymus (Cabral, 1999). 

There are normally 4000 to 11,000 leukocytes (white blood cells) per microliter of human blood. However, leukocytes act primarily within the tissues those found in the blood are actually in transit. Leukocytes are also found in lymphoid tissues such as the thymus, spleen, and lymph nodes. These cells are referred to as "white" blood cells because they lack hemoglobin and are essentially colorless. Leukocytes are an important component of the immune system. General inflammatory and immune functions of these cells include ... 

Aguzzi, A. Prions and the immune system a journey through gut, spleen, and nerves. Adv. Immunol. 81 123-171, 2003. 

CSF levels in normal human serum are usually low or undetectable. During infections, the immune system responds by activation of leukocytes, and often this is accompanied by an increase in numbers of specific leukocytes in the circulation in order to combat the infective agent. Thus, it is not surprising that many pathogens activate CSF production, which then results in increases in numbers of progenitor cells in the bone marrow and spleen, and subsequent increases in numbers of mature leukocytes in the circulation. 

Immunological Effects. No data on immunotoxicity of mirex in were located. The only information about the immunological effects of mirex exposure in animals was provided by one acute oral study in rats in which decrease spleen weight was reported (Buelke-Sam et al. 1983). Thus, it is uncertain whether persons exposed to mirex at hazardous waste sites might experience adverse effects on the immune system. 

The presence of cannabinoid receptors in the immune system has led to consideration of the effects of cannabis on its function. Cannabinoid receptors have been found in spleen cells (Kaminski et al. 1992). Activation of these receptors would inhibit their function in the immune response. Similar suppressant effects occur on lymphocytes (Diaz et al. 1993). THC and anandamide inhibit macrophage-mediated tumor necrosis (Cabral et al. 1995). Despite these effects, their functional significance remains to be determined. These effects are most likely subtle. 

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