Investigation on the relationship between lymphocyte subsets, immunoglobulin levels and adenosine deaminase activities in immunosuppressive dose methylprednisolone treated dogs.

摘要

Seven healthy dogs were treated with methylprednisolone orally (2 mg/kg body weight/day) at the beginning of the study (between 0-10 days) and the dosage was decreased at 10 day intervals for 60 days in an alternate-day therapy programme. Results revealed that the leukocyte count, polymorphonuclear leukocytes and neutrophil ratios increased, while the eosinophil, mononuclear leukocytes, lymphocyte and monocyte ratios decreased between 11-60 days of treatment. It was observed that the lymphocyte subsets, B lymphocytes and CD8+ lymphocytes ratios decreased between 31-60 days. CD4+ lymphocyte ratios increased on days 21, 41, 51 and 61, while IgM and IgG levels decreased during the treatment period. Adenosine deaminase (ADA) and ADA 1 activities decreased during the treatment, but ADA 2 activity remained constant. It is suggested that when the immune system deficiency or immune suppression takes place, the evaluation of ADA and ADA1 activities should be taken into consideration..