Predictors of individual immune responses to adaptogens

Abstract

Introduction. Earlier in the experiments in rats [1,2] and in clinical observations [3–5] showed that the immune responses to chronic stress are ambiguous and individual. Adaptogens, in particular balneofactors, are antipodes of stressors [6]. The immune responses to balneotherapy are also ambiguous [7–19] which is a separate manifestation of the multivariate effects of balneological agents on the body [20,21]. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to analyze variants of immune responses to balneofactors of Truskavets’ spa as natural adaptogens and to determine the possibility of their prediction. Material and methods. The object of observation were 34 men and 10 women aged 24–70 years old, who came to the Truskavets’ spa for the treatment of chronic pyelonephritis combined with cholecystitis in remission. The survey was conducted twice, before and after balneotherapy (drinking bioactive water Naftussya three times a day, ozokerite applications, mineral baths every other day for 7–10 days). Immune status evaluated on a set of I and II levels recommended by the WHO as described in the manuals [22,23]. For phenotyping subpopulations of lymphocytes used the methods of rosette formation with sheep erythrocytes on which adsorbed monoclonal antibodies against receptors CD3, CD4, CD8, CD22 and CD56 from company «Granum» (Kharkiv) with visualization under light microscope with immersion system. Subpopulation of T cells with receptors high affinity determined by test of “active” rosette formation. The state of humoral immunity judged by the concentration in serum of Circulating Immune Complexes (by polyethylene glycol precipitation method) and Immunoglobulins classes M, G, A as well as in saliva of IgG, IgA, secretory IgA and Lysozyme (ELISA, analyser “Immunochem”, USA). Parameters of phagocytic function of neutrophils estimated as described by SD. Douglas and PG Quie [24] with moderately modification by MM Kovbasnyuk [25]. The objects of phagocytosis served daily cultures of Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC N 25423 F49) as typical specimen for Gram-positive Bacteria and Escherichia coli (O55 K59) as typical representative of Gram-negative Bacteria. Both cultures obtained from Laboratory of Hydro-Geological Regime-Operational Station JSC “Truskavets’kurort”. Take into account the following parameters of Phagocytosis: activity (percentage of neutrophils, in which found microbes – Hamburger’s Phagocytic Index PhI), intensity (number of microbes absorbed one phagocytes – Microbial Count MC or Right’s Index) and completeness