Regulation of natural killer activity in vivo: Part I--loss of natural killer activity during starvation
Saxena, R.K.; Saxena, Q.B.; Adler, W.H.
Indian Journal of Experimental Biology 18(12): 1383-1386
1980
ISSN/ISBN: 0019-5189 PMID: 7228120 Document Number: 162820
Natural Killer (NK) activity of mouse spleen cells was studied in a 4 h 51Cr release assay against YAC tumor cells. The NK activity gradually declined in mice deprived of food, reaching a low level 6 days after initiation of starvation regimens. Apparently suppressor cells are not a causative agent in low NK activity in starved mice since spleen cells from starved mice did not influence significantly normal spleen cell NK activity. Normal diet reinstitution resulted in quick NK activity recovery. After 3 days, NK activity in recovering mice seemed to reach a higher than normal level. Spleen cell NK activity from mice 8 days after refeeding initiation, was not significantly different from control values.