The investigation of the harmfull effects of 2,3,7,8-TCDD on immune system and the preventing effects of curcumin

In this study, the negative effect of 2,3,7,8-TCDD on the immune system of rats and the preventive effects of curcumin were examined. For this purpose, 128 Wistar albino rats with 250-300 gr body weight and 3-4 months old, were used. The 2 µg/kg dose of 2,3,7,8-TCDD together with 100 mg/kg doses of curcumin were dissolved in corn oil and orally given to both experimental and control group rats. The serum samples were taken from rats at days 15, 30, 45 and 60 of the study and analyzed for the determination of cytokine, immunoglobulin and complement levels in serum by ELISA test. At the end of analysis, it was found that 2,3,7,8-TCDD pressured the immune system at humoral and cellular levels at a statistically significant level (P<0.05). Additionally, the immune system pressure caused by dioxin compounds was prevented considerably in the presence of curcumin together with 2,3,7,8-TCDD.In conclusion, it was found that the weakening of immune system caused by dioxin compounds accumulated in both vegetal and animal foods as a result of effluvia from different sources could be prevented considerable by curcumine found in some plants.