Journal of Clinical Toxicology
Open Access

Chronic unpredictable mild stress impairs erythrocyte immune function and changes T-lymphocyte subsets in a rat model of stress-induced depression

4^th Global Summit on Toxicology

August 24-26, 2015 Philadelphia, USA

Ji-wen Liu and Su-zhen Guan

Posters-Accepted Abstracts: J Clin Toxicol

Abstract :

Stress has been shown to suppress immune function and increase susceptibility to inflam-matory and psychiatric diseases. This
study sought to investigate the changes in erythrocyte immune functions and T-lymphocyte subsets and to explore the mechanism
implicated in the process of stress-induced depression by employing a rat depression model induced by chronic unpredictable mild
stress (CUMS). The body weights and behavioral changes of the rats were recorded, and plasma corticosterone levels were determined
by radioimmunoassay. Erythrocyte immune function and T-lymphocytes subsets were respectively measured by the method of yeast
rosette and flow cytometry at different time intervals, and their relationship was analyzed. Results indicated that a reduction was
observed in the following: the rats’ crossing and rearing movement times, the volume of sucrose intake and the preference for sucrose
in the depression model group. Plasma corticosterone levels were elevated; the rate of E-C3bR decreased, and E-IC was increased.
Some alterations in the percentage of T-lymphocytes and IL-2 appeared in the depression model group and some relationships
existed between these parameters. Collectively, these findings disclose that long-time stress could induce changes in rat behavior and
activities through an effect on erythrocyte immune functions and T-lymphocyte subsets.