Immunological and Histological Effects of Nigella Sativa on lead exposure in mice / Ghada Abd El monem Zhran ; supervised Salwa Fouad , Azza ElAmir , Isaad ElDarwish

Thesis (M.Sc.) - Cairo University - Faculty Of Science - Department Of Zoology

It has become apparent that heavy metals can alter the humoral and cell - mediated immune responses and , in effect , play a role in the development of immunopathologic disordersInhalation of metal dusts and fumes can induce a wide range of lung pathology , including airways disorders , cancer , and parenchymal diseasesIn the present study , the modulation of an immunosuppressive state induced by lead (Pb) was one of our special interestTo accurately determine this relationship , a quantitative and qualitative study are requiredThe a bility of Pb to alter the humoral and cell mediated immune responses as well as to develop lesions in various organs were previously demonstratedAdministration of 100æg / day of Pb (gp A) into male Albino mice for two weeks induced a significant increase (P< 0001) in the lead serum concentrations compared to normal mice (gp C) After treatment with 12 g / day of Nigella sativa (NS) after being exposed to Pb for 1 week , a significant decrease (P<0001) was observed in Pb serum level as compared to gp AMice administered with Pb demonstrated a significant decrease in the number of circulating lymphocytes as compared to normal mice (P<0001) , a finding which was associated with a generalized depletion of thymocytes , and an increase in neutrophil countsAdministration of NS for 1wk recovered the lymphocyte count to normal , and partially recuperated thymus to its normal appearanceThe level of serum IFN - was increased in mice exposed to Pb (gp A) alone or together with NS (gp D and F) ; this increase level was maximal when NS was given before or after Pb intakeHowever , administration of NS alone (gp E) had no effect on the level of IFN - s compared to that of control group (gp C) TNF - was significantly decreased (P< 005) in mice exposed to Pb (gp A) or to NS (gp E) Together these data demonstrate that NS can exert an immune enhancer role in modulating the response against lead detoxification processes

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