Peripheral Leukocytic Responses To Ultraviolet Radiation In Pre-pubertal Rabbits Fed A Turmeric-Supplemented Diet

Abstract Text:

This study investigated the antioxidant/anti-inflammatory effect of turmeric (Curcuma longa) to enhance developmental resilience in stress induced, ultraviolet (UV) irradiated (R) rabbits indexed by peripheral leukocytic responses. This study was conducted for a total of 85 days (d) in three (3) phased periods: 40d pre-irradiation,  5d irradiation and 40d post-irradiation in 72 acclimatized pre-pubertal, unsexed rabbits of average body weight range of 600gm  randomly assigned to 6 groups of 12 rabbits each and treated as follows: Group 1, served as control. They were fed unsupplemented diet and forage (Tridax procumbens) - basal diet (BD) for the entire study periods without any treatment. Group 2 animals were fed BD supplemented with 2% crude pulverized turmeric (T) during periods 1, 2 and 3, but were not irradiated. Group 3 animals were fed unsupplemented BD at periods 1, 2 and 3 and irradiated. Group 4 rabbits were fed supplemented BD during periods 1and 2 only and irradiated. Group 5 animals were fed supplemented BD at periods 1, 2 and 3 and irradiated. Group 6 animals were fed BD in periods 1 and 2, and irradiated at period 2 following which supplemented BD was served in period 3. Blood was collected on the 86^th day from 00.09hr. Feed and water were available ad libitum. The experimental design was completely randomised block design. Data were analysed by ANOVA with graphic post-hoc test of significance.

                                                Table of Results

S/N	GROUP n	WBC (103)	LYM (%)	ABS LYM           COUNT
1	CONTROL	6.00 +1.01†	69.12+6.0	3954+722.65
2	T + T + T	5.88+0.80ns	77.72+4.60*,**	4651+830.72*,**
3	- + R +  -	4.53+1.18*	71.93+3.34ns	3183+662.50*
4	T + TR + -	6.85+1.09**,ns	68.87+6.27ns	4526+667.66*
5	T + TR+ T	9.98+1.74*,**	69.64+5.32ns	5524+1269.08*,**
6	- + R +  T	5.78+0.91**, ns	70.64+5.96ns	4080 +750.69ns

n, number of animals =12; ^†mean+SEM; ^*p<0.05 vs control; ^**p<0.05 vs UV irradiation; not significant (ns) vs control. T, Turmeric; R, UV irradiation; LYM, Lymphocyte; ABS, Absolute lymphocyte count, WBC,W  hite blood cell count

Evident from the table with data for all the periods, UV irradiation significantly (p<0.05) suppressed WBC and absolute lymphocytic count. Turmeric supplementation significantly ameliorated these UV effects (p<0.05).

Keywords: Turmeric; Leukocytic-response; Ultraviolet Radiation; Rabbits]