Effect of extract from bursa Fabricii on immunological parameters of blood in C57Bl/6 mice with cyclophosphamide-induced immunodeficiency

Cyclophosphamide is a widely used anticancer and immunosuppressive drug. Myelodepression and leukopenia is among its negative side effects. Natural and synthetic substances are able to reduce such negative effects. Protective effects of antioxidants on bone marrow are known when used together with cyclophosphamide. Plant and animal active peptides are also of interest due to their low toxicity, broad-spectrum biological activity. The Bursanatal preparation, due to presence of active peptides, growth factors, cytokines, antioxidants is also a promising immunomodulator, which previously showed a positive effect on immune response to infectious diseases in farm animals. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of the Bursanatal on immunological parameters in C57Bl/6 mice with cyclophosphamide-induced immunosuppression. The extract from bursa Fabricii was obtained from chickens aged 35-42 days by homogenization and subsequent removal of the heat-labile fraction. The final extract contains biologically active substances with molecular mass of 1 to 10 kDa. The immunodeficient condition was induced with single injection of cyclophosphamide (200 mg/kg body weight). The experimental group of mice received bursa extract intraperitoneally for 7 days (0.1 mL/20 mg body mass). Seven days later, the mice were weighted, and blood counts were performed using hematological analyzer and flow cytometry (T and B lymphocyte subpopulations). The cyclophosphamide-treated mice developed B cell lymphopenia. After exposure to the bioorganocomplex, an increase in B cell counts was observed in peripheral blood compared to the intact controls. A changed ratio of T lymphocyte subpopulations in peripheral blood was also observed. The obtained data allow to suggest the absence of a pronounced immunotoxic effect of the Bursanatal. Moreover, the active components of the extract may be considered good candidates for alternative adjuvant chemotherapy in order to reduce immunotoxicity.