The effects of immunonutrition on the rats given chemotherapy to the level of Il-2, Il-6 and immun system cells

Chemotherapy is a common therapy for the population of cancer patient. As known well, the common side effect of chemotherapy is compromising of immun system . The term of immunutrition includes substances that modulate immun functions. When we mention of immun nutrition, we usually mean arginin,glutamin, omega-3 and nucleotids. Purpose: The aim of this experimental study is evaluating of the effects of immunonutrition on the rats takes chemotherapy. That includes also evaluating of levels of Interleukin-2 (IL-2), Interleukin-6 (IL-6). Materials and methods: In this study 30 male,14-16 weeks,300-350 g, Wistar rats were used . We designed two groups; Immunnutrition group (group I), was produced the rats which fed only immunonutrition; and this feeding was started 3 days ago from chemotherapy, continued 7 days..The other group, group II (standart feeding) was produced the rats that fed normal supplement. On the third day, as chemotherapeutic agent, methotrexate (MTX) was given one single dose by intraperitoneal injection. Blood samples were taken at three periods: at the first day of the experiment, at the third day, before chemotherapy injection, and at the end of the experiment. At the blood samples; we evaluated the degrees of IL-2, IL-6 and effects of immunnutrition on the immun system cells. Immun system cells were assessed by complete blood count, and IL-2, IL-6 were assesed by ELISA method. Results: There was no significiant difference in the immunonutrition group for leukocytes, lymphocytes, monocytes, basophil, IL-2 and IL-6 levels and there was no statistical importance but as we expected, with the result of the intraperitoneal metotreksat injection all counts decreased but IL-2 levels increased. On the other hand, we determined increased neutrophil levels in the immunonutrition group, and the difference had statistical importance. Conclusion: The support of immunonutrition has been useful for immunsupresyon treatment or prophylaxis. Related to chemotherapy and even not recommended on its own, it will be helpful as adjuvan therapy with other recent modalities. Keywords: Immunonutrition, IL-2, IL-6, methotrexate, immun suppression.