role of zinc on anti-newcastle disease virus specific antibody response and agranulocytes count in rabbits treated with methotrexate and prednisolone

ABSTRACT

Zinc [Zn] plays a pivotal role in highly proliferative tissues including immune system. The long-term therapy of neoplastic and autoimmune disorders is associated with immunosuppression and myleosuppression. In the current study role of Zn on anti-Newcastle disease virus response and agranulocytes count of methotrexate and prednisolone treated rabbits. Thirty six healthy rabbits were randomly segregated into six groups [group I to VI] each containing six rabbits. Oil based Newcastle disease virus [NDV] vaccine was administered subcutaneously to rabbits of all the groups at day 0 and 21 and after one week, all the groups received Zn, [Zn + prednisolone], prednisolone, [Zn + methotrexate] methotrexate orally from day 7 to day 21, except the control. The serum antibody titer, total and differential leukocyte count were measured weekly for 6 weeks. The administration of zinc in combination with methotrexate showed same antibody titer as that of the control suggesting that Zn has ability to counteract the methotrexate-induced immunosuppression. However, Zn did not show any significant impact in combination with prednisolone [p<0.05]. The results of the present study indicate that co-administration of Zn and methotrexate is beneficial in the activity of immune system