Subacute Effects of Capsaicinoids on the Distribution of White Blood Cells in Rats

Abstract

The subacute effects of dihydrocapsaincin (DHC) and capsaicin (CAP) (dose = 3 mg/kg body weight per day for 10 days, subcutaueous) on the number and distribution of white blood cells (WBCs) were studied in male adult rats. The administration of DHC and CAP for 10 days decreased significantly the number of total WBCs, lymphocytes and monocyte, and increased significantly the number of the neutrophil and eosinophil without changing the number of basophil. The administration of DHC significantly decreased thymus weight and increased adrenal weight, showing that DHC induced thymus atrophy and adrenal hypertrophy. These results suggest that capsaicinoids induced the decrease of acquired immunity responses and these phenomena may have in part participated in capsaicinoidsinduced stress-responses in rats.

Acute and Subacute Effects of Dexamethasone on the Number of White Blood Cells in Rats

“…1B). 5,[23][24][25][26] Statistical Analyses --Experimental data were presented as mean ± SEM. The effects of dexamethasone on the number of WBCs were evaluated by a two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) for repeated measures.…”

Lowering Effects of Allyl Isothiocyanate on the Number of Lymphocyte and Its Subsets in Rats

“…24,25) In the control group, an equivalent volume of AITC-free solution was administered in the same manners. 11,13,21,23) Count Analyses of Lymphocytes --According to our recent results, 11) diurnal rhythm of the number of lymphocytes in male adult rats was observed and the lowering actions of the pungent principles of hot pappers such as capsaicin and dihydrocapsaicin on the number of lymphocytes, T-lymphocyte and B-lymphocyte were observed at 3 hr after the administration. In the present study, therefore, we analyzed the number of lymphocytes at 1-4 hr after the administration of AITC.…”

“…These findings coincide with our previous results of dihydrocapsaicin-decreased numbers of lymphocytes, T-lymphocyte and B-lymphocyte. 11,12,21) We have also reported that dihydrocapsaicin decreased the number of acquired immunity cells such as lymphocytes, T-lymphocyte and B-lymphocyte without changing the number of NK cells. 11,21) These findings suggest that immunosuppressions may be induced by pungent components such as AITC and dihydrocapsaicin.…”

“…The experiment was performed with the least possible pain of discomfort to the animals. [11][12][13][20][21][22] Administration of AITC to Rats --AITC (purity 95%; Wako Pure Chem. Ind., Osaka, Japan) was dissolved in 2% ethanol and then added 10% Tween 80 and 0.9% NaCl as a vehicle to obtain 0.5% and 1.0% of AITC.…”

“…14,15) Whole blood samples were collected from the tail vein according to our routine method. 21,22) These samples were used for the count analyses of lymphocytes. The number of red blood cells (RBCs), hemoglobin concentration and hematocrit value were also analyzed.…”