Abstract

A LOCALLY SYNTHESIZED PROBIOTIC FOR MAINTAINING IMMUNE SYSTEM FUNCTIONS IN IMMUNOCOMPROMISED NZW RABBITS

Imad Dawood Saleh*, Haniza Hanim Mohd Zain, Husni Ibrahim, Noman D. Salih, Hanan Kumar Gopalan

ABSTRACT

This study aimed to develop a novel probiotic, using microorganisms isolated and identified from rabbit‟s colon, for developing a nutritional supplement to maintain and treat the weaken immune system responses in immunocompromised animals. 30 NZW rabbits divided into three groups, the first served as a control, while the other two were induced with Azathioprine (20mg\kg\Day) for two weeks to make them immunocompromised, one of them treated with the probiotic and the other group has left to heal naturally, both were monitored for another two weeks as treatment or healing period. Results indicated that treatment with this probiotic enhanced effectively the immunocompromised rabbits, an improvement of full blood count has indicated in the treated group (5.42±2.20 x109), whereas the non-treated group was (3.20±0.59 x109), compared to control group (9.68±0.30 x109). A significant decrease recorded in lymphocytes percentage of rabbits treated with probiotic (25%), and non-treated (20%) compared to control (66%). Monocytes count has been higher in immunocompromised groups, treated and non-treated (10% and 12% respectively) compared to control (5%). Neutrophils count showed less percentage in non-treated (3%) and treated (2%) compared to control group (23%). These findings declared that the daily uptake of this probiotic has improved significantly the specific and nonspecific immunity of impaired rabbits, caused by the immunosuppressive drug. The study implicated the use of this product could be a basis for further studies to develop a promising commercial product for reducing medical complications caused by an immunosuppressant given to human patients or domesticated animals under certain conditions.

Keywords: Rabbits, Immunosuppression, Probiotic, Flowcytometry.