Authors : K.Y. Coronado-Manzanares , A.M. Nevarez-Garza , L.E. Rodriguez-Tovar , A. Wong-Gonzalez , G. Hernandez-Vidal , J.A. Salinas-Melendez and R. Ramirez-Romero
Abstract: Mast cells numbers and reactivity status based on their degranulation was determined in the skin of rabbits during the initiation and progression of the active Arthus reaction. New Zealand Rabbits divided in three groups (n = 5/group) were subjected to the reaction and killed at three different time periods. Briefly, the animals received three immunizations (seven days intervals) with bovine serum albumin intramuscularly and a challenge seven days apart intradermally. Animals were euthanized at 8 h, 24 h and 8 days, post challenge. One group served as control (saline for immunization and challenge) and was killed at 24 h. Skin samples were fixed in Carnoy`s solution and mast cells were identified employing a low pH toluidine blue stain. Numbers of mast cells were identified per square millimetre and, subsequently, those cells degranulated were identified and quantified to obtain absolute values. The values were transformed (natural logarithms) for appropriate statistical comparisons. An ANOVA test using a completely random design and a Tukey`s w test were carried out. The numbers of infiltrating mast cells were significantly different in all of the Arthus groups in comparison with controls (p<0.05). Although, all of the Arthus groups had higher values of degranulated cells, only group at 24 h was significantly different from controls. It was concluded that mast cells have a prominent role during the early and late phases of this inflammatory model.
K.Y. Coronado-Manzanares , A.M. Nevarez-Garza , L.E. Rodriguez-Tovar , A. Wong-Gonzalez , G. Hernandez-Vidal , J.A. Salinas-Melendez and R. Ramirez-Romero , 2008. Quantification of Mast Cells During Initiation and Progression of the Active Arthus Reaction. Journal of Animal and Veterinary Advances, 7: 612-615.