Allyl isothiocyanate-induced changes in the distribution of white blood cells in rats

Abstract

-The main pungent component of wasabi (Eutrema japonica) is known to be isothiocyanate and its derivatives, volatile substances. Allyl isothiocyanate (AITC) accounts for more than half of isothiocyanate derivatives. However, there is a little information on the effects of AITC on the immune system by analyzing the number of white blood cells (WBCs) over the course of days of AITC administration. In the present study, we studied the effects of AITC (dose=20 mg/kg body weight/day for 10 days, subcutaneous: s.c.) on the number of WBCs (total WBCs, lymphocytes, monocyte, neutrophil, basophil and eosinophil) and plasma corticosterone concentrations in adult male rats. Administration of AITC decreased significantly the number of total WBCs on days 1-4 post s.c. injection by 25-27%. Administration of AITC also decreased the number of lymphocytes on days 1-10 by 21-36% and monocyte on days 1-8 by 28-78%. However, administration of AITC increased the number of neutrophil on days 8-10 by 61-112%. AITC did not change the number of eosinophil and basophil. Plasma corticosterone concentrations during the experimental period were 4.7-8.4 times significantly higher in the AITC group than in the control group, indicating that AITC induced stress-responses. The relative weights of thymus and adrenals per body weight were significantly lower and clearly higher in the AITC group than in the control group, respectively. These results suggest that AITC-mediated stress-responses are at least in part attributable to changes in the number of circulating WBCs.

Capsaicinoids-induced changes of plasma glucose, free fatty acid and glycerol concentrations in rats

“…On the other hand, DHC-induced rises of plasma glucose, FFA and glycerol levels may be caused by the activisceral organs, respectively, through activation of sympathetic nervous system in rats. Further, DHC-induced response levels of glucocorticoid secreted from adrenal cortex may play an important role in higher plasma glucose, FFA and glycerol levels (Imaizumi et al, 2010a(Imaizumi et al, , 2010b. However, these possibilities are not yet elucidated.…”

“…The present study was carried out in accordance with the "Guiding Principles for the Care and the Physiological Society of Japan (2004). This study was performed with least possible pain or discomfort to the rats (Akimoto et al, 2009;Aritoshi et al, 2010;Imaizumi et al, 2010aImaizumi et al, , 2010bNomura et al, 2008;Shirato et al, 2006Shirato et al, , 2007Someya et al, 2009). …”

“…Plasma glucose, FFA and glycerol concentrations were assayed out on day 0, 1, 3, 7 and 10, and blood samples (collected blood volume = 100 μl) were collected from tail vein on 3 hr post s.c. injection (Akimoto et al, 2009;Aritoshi et al, 2010;Imaizumi et al, 2010aImaizumi et al, , 2010b.…”

Mechanisms of the Anticancer Effects of Isothiocyanates

“…Moreover, increase in neutrophil count and corticosteroid level suggested stress induced by AITC. Additionally, AITC treatment reduced the weight of thymus and increased the weight of the adrenals [110]. Another study showed that i.p.…”

Different Recovery Responses from Dietary Zinc-Deficiency in the Distribution of Rat Granulocytes

“…However, the overall responses of the number of white blood cells, and plasma zinc and corticosterone levels in the recovery from dietary zinc-deficiency are still unknown. These questions are of critical importance to understanding of the distribution of white blood cells as an index of the immune-responses of the body defense system (7)(8)(9)(10)(11)(12). In the present study, therefore, we studied the effects of the recovery from dietary zinc-deficiency on the distribution of the number of total white blood cells (WBCs), neutrophils, eosinophils, and basophils, and plasma zinc and corticosterone concentrations in weanling male rats.…”