Phagocytic and Oxidative-burst Activity of Blood Leukocytes in Rats Fed a Protein-free Diet

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of two weeks’ protein deprivation on the cellular parameters of nonspecific immunity in rats. Wistar rats (200-250 g) were divided into two groups (2x12) and were fed two isoenergetic (control and protein-free) diets. The phagocytic activity of neutrophils and monocytes, and the oxidative-burst activity of neutrophils of peripheral blood, were determined by flow cytometry after stimulation with E. coli and phorbol 12-mirystate 13-acetate. Feeding the proteinfree diet for two weeks did not influence the phagocytic activity of neutrophils, monocytes or blood morphology. However, the oxidative burst of stimulated neutrophils was increased, indicating that two weeks’ protein deprivation does not depress the oxygendependent killing mechanism in neutrophils, but may lead to the overproduction of reactive oxygen species.