Cyclic AMP, glucose and cortisol in plasma during surgery.

Cyclic AMP, glucose and cortisol in plasma were measured before, during and after major surgery (hysterectomy, six patients) and minor surgery (tympanoplasty, 10 patients). During major surgery cyclic AMP as well as glucose and cortisol showed a pronounced increase. During minor surgery cyclic AMP, glucose and cortisol levels were significantly lower than in the group undergoing major surgery. It is concluded that the increase of plasma cyclic AMP during operative procedures is related to the severity of the trauma.     

Plasma carotenoid concentrations before and after supplementation with astaxanthin in middle-aged and senior subjects

A randomized, double-blind human trial was conducted to assess the effect on the plasma carotenoid concentration of 4- or 12-week astaxanthin supplementation (1 or 3 mg/d) of 20 Japanese middle-aged and senior subjects. The plasma carotenoid concentration was significantly higher after the astaxanthin supplementation than that before in both the 1 mg/d (10 subjects) and 3 mg/d (10 subjects) groups.     

Plasma Carotenoid Concentrations before and after Supplementation with Astaxanthin in Middle-Aged and Senior Subjects

A randomized, double-blind human trial was conducted to assess the effect on the plasma carotenoid concentration of 4- or 12-week astaxanthin supplementation (1 or 3 mg/d) of 20 Japanese middle-aged and senior subjects. The plasma carotenoid concentration was significantly higher after the astaxanthin supplementation than that before in both the 1 mg/d (10 subjects) and 3 mg/d (10 subjects) groups.     

Zinc Supplementation Does Not Affect Glucagon Response to Intravenous Glucose and Insulin Infusion in Patients with Well-Controlled Type 2 Diabetes

Glucagon dysregulation is an essential component in the pathophysiology of type 2 diabetes. Studies in vitro and in animal models have shown that zinc co-secreted with insulin suppresses glucagon secretion. Zinc supplementation improves blood glucose control in patients with type 2 diabetes, although there is little information about how zinc supplementation may affect glucagon secretion. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of 1-year zinc supplementation on fasting plasma glucagon concentration and in response to intravenous glucose and insulin infusion in patients with type 2 diabetes. A cross-sectional study was performed after 1-year of intervention with 30 mg/day zinc supplementation or a placebo on 28 patients with type 2 diabetes. Demographic, anthropometric, and biochemical parameters were determined. Fasting plasma glucagon and in response to intravenous glucose and insulin infusion were evaluated. Patients of both placebo and supplemented groups presented a well control of diabetes, with mean values of fasting blood glucose and glycated hemoglobin within the therapeutic goals established by ADA. No significant differences were observed in plasma glucagon concentration, glucagon/glucose ratio or glucagon/insulin ratio fasting, after glucose or after insulin infusions between placebo and supplemented groups. No significant effects of glucose or insulin infusions were observed on plasma glucagon concentration. One-year zinc supplementation did not affect fasting plasma glucagon nor response to intravenous glucose or insulin infusion in well-controlled type 2 diabetes patients with an adequate zinc status.     

Antioxidant supplementation reduces inter-individual variation in markers of oxidative damage

The aim of this study was to examine the effect of antioxidant supplementation on oxidative damage and chromosome stability in middle-aged men, smokers and non-smokers. A total of 124 men aged 48+/-6 years from Bratislava and from the rural population near Bratislava were investigated; 64 men (22 smokers and 42 non-smokers) were supplemented for 12 weeks with antioxidants, while 60 (25 smokers and 35 non-smokers) were given placebo. The daily antioxidant supplementation consisted of vitamin C (100 mg), vitamin E (100 mg), ss-carotene (6 mg), and selenium (50 microg). Samples of blood were taken on two occasions: At the beginning and at the end of the supplementation trial. Concentrations of dietary antioxidants, ferric reducing ability, malondialdehyde as an indicator of lipid peroxidation in plasma, micronuclei and chromosome aberrations in lymphocytes were measured. Antioxidant supplementation significantly increased the levels of vitamin C, ss-carotene, a-tocopherol and selenium in plasma. The overall antioxidant status of plasma measured as ferric reducing ability of plasma (FRAP) increased significantly (p<0.001) after antioxidant supplementation as well. The increase in antioxidant parameters after supplementation were consistently more pronounced in non-smokers than in smokers. There was a significant decrease of malondialdehyde concentration in the non-smokers, while in smokers the decrease of malondialdehyde concentration was not significant. Antioxidant supplementation did not affect the proportion of lymphocytes with micronuclei or the total number of micronuclei; however, there was a significant positive correlation (p<0.001) between the malondialdehyde concentration at the beginning of the supplementation trial and the difference in number of cells with micronuclei before and after the supplementation. The percent of cells with chromosome aberrations decreased significantly after antioxidant supplementation in smokers. These results indicate that a combined antioxidant supplementation (a) is effective even at very moderate doses; (b) significantly diminishes oxidative damage to lipids when it is high initially; and (c) is effective in decreasing chromosomal instability in lymphocytes of middle-aged men.     

Effect of a Single Bout of Exercise and β-Carotene Supplementation on the Urinary Excretion of 8-Hydroxy-deoxyguanosine in Humans

We investigated the effects of acute exhaustive exercise and β-carotene supplementation on urinary 8-hydroxy-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) excretion in healthy nonsmoking men. Fourteen untrained male (19-22 years old) volunteers participated in a double blind design. The subjects were randomly assigned to either the β-carotene or placebo supplement group. Eight subjects were given 30 mg of β-carotene per day for 1 month, while six subjects were given a placebo for the same period. All subjects performed incremental exercise to exhaustion on a bicycle ergometer both before and after the 1-month β-carotene supplementation period. The blood lactate and pyruvate concentrations significantly increased immediately after exercise in both groups. The baseline plasma p-carotene concentration was significantly 17-fold higher after β-carotene supplementation. The plasma β-carotene decreased immediately after both trials of exercise, suggesting that β-carotene may contribute to the protection of the increasing oxidative stress during exercise. Both plasma hypoxanthine and xanthine increased immediately after exercise before and after supplementation. This thus suggests that both trials of exercise might enhance the oxidative stress. The 24-h urinary excretion of 8-OHdG was unchanged for 3 days after exercise before and after supplementation in both groups. However, the baseline urinary excretion of 8-OHdG before exercise tended to be lower after β-carotene supplementation. These results thus suggest that a single bout of incremental exercise does not induce the oxidative DNA damage, while β-carotene supplementation may attenuate it.     

Enrichment of coenzyme Q10 in plasma and blood cells: defense against oxidative damage

Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) concentration in blood cells was analyzed by HPLC and compared to plasma concentration before, during, and after CoQ10 (3 mg/kg/day) supplementation to human probands. Lymphocyte DNA 8-hydroxydeoxy-guanosine (8-OHdG), a marker of oxidative stress, was analyzed by Comet assay. Subjects supplemented with CoQ10 showed a distinct response in plasma concentrations after 14 and 28 days. Plasma levels returned to baseline values 12 weeks after treatment stopped. The plasma concentration increase did not affect erythrocyte levels. However, after CoQ10 supplementation, the platelet level increased; after supplementation stopped, the platelet level showed a delayed decrease. A positive correlation was shown between the plasma CoQ10 level and platelet and white blood cell CoQ10 levels. During CoQ10 supplementation, delayed formation of 8-OHdG in lymphocyte DNA was observed; this effect was long-lasting and could be observed even 12 weeks after supplementation stopped. Intracellular enrichment may support anti-oxidative defense mechanisms.     

Acute Phase Response of Selenium Status and Glutathione Peroxidase Activity in Blood Plasma Before and After Total Knee Arthroplasty Surgery

Several studies show the consistent results of the decrease in plasma or serum selenium (Se) after surgery, and the change is suggested to be a negative acute phase response of Se to the surgical inflammation. Plasma glutathione peroxidase (GPx), which is included in the acute phase response proteins, is a selenoenzyme. However, previous studies failed to show any changes in GPx activity before and after surgery. In the present study, we investigated the Se- and selenoenzyme responses that accompany the acute inflammatory reactions during and following major surgery. Patients who underwent elective total knee arthroplasty surgery due to knee osteoarthritis at the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery at Gunma University Hospital in Japan were studied. The plasma Se concentration was determined, and the activity of plasma GPx was measured. C-reactive protein (CRP), albumin, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), and white blood cell (WBC) count were also analysed. Increases in the inflammatory biomarkers of CRP and WBC showed inflammatory reactions with the surgery. A significant increase in plasma GPx activity (p?相似文献   

A novel chemically modified analogue of xenin-25 exhibits improved glucose-lowering and insulin-releasing properties

Background: Xenin-25 is a K-cell derived gut peptide with insulin-releasing activity which is rapidly degraded following release into the circulation. We hypothesized that substitution of all naturally-occurring Lys and Arg residues with Gln would lead to prolonged enzyme resistance and enhanced biological efficacy.Methods: Peptide stability was assessed using murine plasma, in vitro insulin-releasing actions evaluated in BRIN-BD11 cells and acute glucose-lowering and insulin-releasing actions examined in high fat fed mice. For sub-chronic studies, a range of metabolic parameters and pancreatic histology were assessed in high fat fed mice which had received saline vehicle or xenin-25(gln) twice-daily for 21 days.Results: In contrast to native xenin-25, xenin-25(gln) was resistant to plasma-mediated degradation and significantly stimulated insulin secretion in BRIN-BD11 cells. Acute administration of xenin-25(gln) in high fat fed mice significantly reduced blood glucose and increased plasma insulin concentrations. Twice-daily administration of xenin-25(gln) in high fat fed mice did not affect food intake, body weight or circulating insulin concentrations but significantly decreased blood glucose from day 9 onwards. Furthermore, glucose tolerance, glucose-mediated insulin secretion, insulin sensitivity and GIP-stimulated insulin-release were significantly enhanced in xenin-25(gln)-treated mice. Pancreatic immunohistochemistry revealed decreased alpha cell area with increased beta cell area and beta-to-alpha cell ratio in xenin-25(gln)-treated mice. In addition, xenin-25(gln) exerted similar beneficial actions in ob/ob mice as demonstrated by reduced blood glucose, superior glycaemic response and glucose-mediated insulin release.Conclusions: Xenin-25(gln) is resistant to plasma-mediated degradation and exerts sustained and beneficial metabolic actions in high fat fed and ob/ob mice.General significance: Glutamine (gln)-modified analogues of xenin may represent an attractive therapeutic approach for type 2 diabetes.     

Uracil misincorporation into DNA of leukocytes of young women with positive folate balance depends on plasma vitamin B12 concentrations and methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase polymorphisms. A pilot study

Changes in the folate and vitamin B12 status in the body influence the extent of uracil misincorporation (UrMis) into DNA, which is one of the biomarkers of genomic stability and, thus, portends a risk of cancer. In our study, the level of UrMis into DNA was evaluated by the comet assay (using the specific DNA repair enzyme, uracil DNA glycosylase) in leukocytes from blood donated by healthy young women with positive folate balance achieved by 4 weeks of folic acid supplementation (400 microg/day). The nutritional status was evaluated on the basis of nine food diaries recorded by the subjects during two winter months. The data were computerized, and the intake of nutrients and micronutrients was estimated using the DIETA 2 program (Food and Nutrition Institute, Warsaw, Poland) linked to recently updated Polish food tables. The plasma folate and vitamin B12 concentration, as well as methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) polymorphisms, were evaluated to determine their influence on the level of UrMis into DNA. The mean value of B12 intake for all subjects reached 100% of the Polish recommended dietary allowances (RDA), whereas the mean value of folate intake, before folate supplementation, was 50%, suggesting moderate deficiency. Folic acid supplementation brought the folate intake way above the RDA, and plasma folate concentration in each individual was above the deficient range (mean value 14.67 ng/ml). The UrMis did not correlate with the plasma folate concentration, but the level of UrMis was significantly lower in subjects with plasma vitamin B12 concentration above 400 pg/ml (P=.02) only after folic acid supplementation. The concentration of folate in plasma correlated (P相似文献   

Effects of repeated creatine supplementation on muscle, plasma, and urine creatine levels

The purpose of this case study was to examine the effects of repeated creatine administration on muscle phosphocreatine, plasma creatine, and urine creatine. One male subject (age, 32 years; body mass, 78.4 kg; height, 160 cm; resistance training experience, 15 years) ingested creatine (20 g.d(-1) for 5 days) during 2 bouts separated by a 30-day washout period. Muscle phosphocreatine was measured before and after supplementation. On day 1 of supplementation, blood samples were taken immediately before and hourly for 5 hours following ingestion of 5 g of creatine, and a pharmacokinetic analysis of plasma creatine was conducted. Twenty-four-hour urine collections were conducted before and for 5 days during supplementation. Muscle phosphocreatine increased 45% following the first supplementation bout, decreased 22% during the 30-day washout period, and increased 25% following the second bout. There were no meaningful differences in plasma creatine pharmacokinetic parameters between bouts 1 and 2. Total urine creatine losses during supplementation were 63.2 and 63.4 g during bouts 1 and 2, respectively. The major findings were that (a) a 30-day washout period is insufficient time for muscle phosphocreatine to return to baseline following creatine supplementation but is sufficient time for plasma and urine creatine levels to return to presupplementation values; (b) postsupplementation muscle phosphocreatine levels were similar following bouts 1 and 2 despite 23% higher presupplementation muscle phosphocreatine before bout 2; and (c) the increased muscle phosphocreatine that persisted throughout the 30-day washout period corresponded with maintenance of increased body mass (+2.0 kg). Athletes should be aware that the washout period for muscle creatine to return to baseline levels may be longer than 30 days in some individuals, and this may be accompanied by a persistent increase in body mass.     

Attenuation of luteolytic response following fish meal supplementation in dairy buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis)

Luteolysis of corpus luteum, due to un-inhibited PGF(2α) secretion, has been reported to be a cause of early embryonic mortality in dairy animals. The objective of this study was to determine the effects of fish meal (FM) supplementation on the uterine secretion of PGF(2α) and hence establish its supplementation as an antiluteolytic strategy in dairy buffaloes. Five cycling Murrah buffaloes were supplemented with 250g FM daily for 55 days in addition to their routine feed and seven buffaloes were kept as non-supplemented control. After 30 days of FM supplementation, the oestrus was synchronized in all the buffaloes using Ovsynch protocol. On day 15 of synchronized cycle, animals were challenged with oxytocin (OT; 100IU) intravenously and blood samples were collected at 15min interval, 1h before to 4h after OT challenge. The PGF(2α) response was measured as the venous concentration of 13,14-dihydro-15-keto PGF(2α) (PGFM). The mean hourly concentration of PGFM in FM supplemented buffaloes was lower than in the control buffaloes at all the occasions. During peak response (1h post-OT challenge), PGFM concentration was significantly lower (P<0.05) in FM supplemented buffaloes than in the control (197.4±41.7pg/ml versus 326.3±33.5pg/ml, respectively). Also the percent rise in PGFM after OT-challenge in FM supplemented buffaloes was less than the control (11.73% versus 22.47%). The dietary supplementation did not affect the size of corpus luteum (CL) and plasma progesterone concentration. Plasma glucose and total protein concentrations remained within the normal physiological limits during FM supplementation. The present study indicated that supplementing FM decreased the concentrations of PGF(2α) without alterations in the size of CL and plasma progesterone concentrations in dairy buffaloes.     

No effect of short-term arginine supplementation on nitric oxide production, metabolism and performance in intermittent exercise in athletes

Arginine supplementation has been shown to alleviate endothelial dysfunction and improve exercise performance through increasing nitric oxide production in patients with cardiopulmonary diseases. In addition, arginine supplementation could decrease accumulations of lactate and ammonia, metabolites involved in development of muscular fatigue. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of short-term arginine supplementation on performance in intermittent anaerobic exercise and the underlying mechanism in well-trained male athletes. Ten elite male college judo athletes participated with a randomized crossover, placebo-controlled design. The subjects consumed 6 g/day arginine (ARG trial) or placebo (CON trial) for 3 days then performed an intermittent anaerobic exercise test on a cycle ergometer. Blood samples were collected before supplementation, before and during exercise and 0, 3, 6, 10, 30 and 60 min after exercise. ARG trial had significantly higher arginine concentrations than CON trial at the same time point before, during and after exercise. In both trials, nitrate and nitrite concentration was significantly higher during and 6 min after exercise comparing to the basal concentration. The increase in nitrate and nitrite concentration during exercise in both trials was parallel to the increase in plasma citrulline concentrations. There was no significant difference between the 2 trials in plasma nitrate and nitrite, lactate and ammonia concentrations and peak and average power in the exercise. The results of this study suggested that short-term arginine supplementation had no effect on nitric oxide production, lactate and ammonia metabolism and performance in intermittent anaerobic exercise in well-trained male athletes.     

Garlic supplementation increases peripheral blood flow: a role for interleukin-6?

There is considerable epidemiological and clinical evidence that regular garlic supplementation reduces cardiovascular risk. In this study, we have investigated the hypothesis that dietary garlic supplementation increases tissue blood flow and this is mediated by the vasodilatory actions of interleukin-6 (IL-6). Venous occlusion plethysmography was used to measure resting calf blood flow before and after oral administration of 600 mg of garlic tablets once daily for 7 days in 13 young healthy female volunteers (treatment group) and 13 female controls matched for age and body mass index (BMI). Blood samples were obtained at the time of plethysmography to measure plasma levels of IL-6, nitrate, nitrite and c-GMP. In the treatment group, calf blood flow increased significantly from 3.01 (2.56 to 3.3) ml min(-1) 100 mL(-1) of tissue before garlic to 3.46 (3.0 to 4.03) ml min(-1) 100 mL(-1) of tissue after 7 days of garlic (P = 0.001). Plasma IL-6 concentrations increased significantly from 54.6 (32.3 to 151.6) mcg/mL before to 151 (135.75 to 422.3) mcg/mL after 7 days of garlic (P = 0.02). However, there was no significant change in the plasma levels of nitrate, nitrite and c-GMP after the garlic (P = 0.4, 0.9 and 0.65 respectively). In the control group, resting calf blood flow and plasma levels of IL-6, nitrite, nitrate and c-GMP remained unchanged after 7 days (P = 0.62, 0.92, 0.28 and 0.35 respectively). Calf blood flow showed a non-linear correlation with plasma IL-6 levels after garlic supplementation (r = 0.86, p = <0.001) but not before. There was no significant relationship between blood flow and plasma nitrate, nitrite and c-GMP in either groups and between blood flow and IL-6 in the control group. These data suggest that garlic supplementation increases resting tissue blood flow and this may be mediated by IL-6.     

Effects of zinc supplementation in patients with type 1 diabetes

The purpose of this study was to identify the effect of oral zinc supplementation in patients with type 1 diabetes (T1DM) on metabolic control and zinc blood concentrations. The sample consisted of 20 patients with T1DM and a control group (n=17). Metabolic control was evaluated by glycemia at fast, 24 h glycosuria, and HbA1c. Zinc concentrations were measured in plasma and erythrocytes. After the first collection of biological material, oral zinc supplementation was initiated and continued for 4 mo in T1MD patients (T1). Daily dosages were established based on Dietary Recommended Intakes (DRIs), considering zinc intake based on data from other studies previously performed with this population. All analyses were repeated after supplementation (T2). Metabolic control was unsatisfactory, with an HbA1c increase at T2. There was no difference in zinc concentrations in plasma and erythrocytes between patients with T1DM and control. Zinc concentrations in plasma were within the normal range in T1MD before and after supplementation and the control. Zinc concentrations in erythrocyte presented lower than normal values for all groups. A zinc increase in erythrocyte after supplementation was observed in T1DM patients, although without statistical significance. More studies are needed to confirm oral zinc supplementation as nutritional management in diabetes.     

Effects of pre-exercise listening to slow and fast rhythm music on supramaximal cycle performance and selected metabolic variables

We examined the effect of listening to two different types of music (with slow and fast rhythm), prior to supramaximal cycle exercise, on performance, heart rate, the concentration of lactate and ammonia in blood, and the concentration of catecholamines in plasma. Six male students participated in this study. After listening to slow rhythm or fast rhythm music for 20 min, the subjects performed supramaximal exercise for 45 s using a cycle ergometer. Listening to slow and fast rhythm music prior to supramaximal exercise did not significantly affect the mean power output. The plasma norepinephrine concentration immediately before the end of listening to slow rhythm music was significantly lower than before listening (p < 0.05). The plasma epinephrine concentration immediately before the end of listening to fast rhythm music was significantly higher than before listening (p < 0.05). The type of music had no effect on blood lactate and ammonia levels or on plasma catecholamine levels following exercise. In conclusion, listening to slow rhythm music decreases the plasma norepinephrine level, and listening to fast rhythm music increases the plasma epinephrine level. The type of music has no impact on power output during exercise.     

Effects of dexamethasone treatment (to mimic stress) and Vitamin E oral supplementation on the spermiogram and on seminal plasma spontaneous lipid peroxidation and antioxidant enzyme activities in dogs

The objective was to determine if treatment with dexamethasone (to mimic stress) has a deleterious effect on the spermiogram and on the composition of seminal plasma in the dog and whether adverse effects were reduced by oral supplementation with Vitamin E. Eighteen adult male Rottweiler dogs were randomly allocated in a 2 x 2 factorial treatment design (with or without dexamethasone treatment versus with or without Vitamin E supplementation). Dogs in the supplemented group received 500 mg of alpha-tocopherol (Vitamin E)/dog/day per os for 10 weeks. Dexamethasone (0.01 mg/kg/day i.m.) was given once daily for 7 days, starting 7 days after the onset of Vitamin E supplementation. Food intake, body condition score and body weight were assessed daily. Semen collections (digital manipulation) were performed twice weekly for 14 weeks and blood samples (for plasma concentrations of cortisol and testosterone) were collected once a week. Dexamethasone treatment significantly reduced ejaculate volume and increased thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS) in the seminal plasma. In contrast, supplementation with Vitamin E increased sperm motility, vigor and concentration and decreased the percentage of major sperm defects. In conclusion, dexamethasone treatment (to mimic stress) had a deleterious effect on the spermiogram and on the seminal plasma lipid peroxidation in dogs; however, some of these effects were prevented by oral supplementation with Vitamin E.     

Relation between extent of coronary artery disease and blood viscosity.

Blood viscosity (shear rate 100/s) and its major determinants (packed cell volume, plasma fibrinogen concentration, and plasma viscosity) were measured before coronary angiography in 50 men aged 30-55 and related to the extent of coronary artery disease. Twenty-six men had extensive disease (stenosis of two or three major coronary vessels), and 24 had either stenosis of one vessel or no stenosis. The 26 men with extensive disease had significantly higher mean blood viscosity than those with mild or no disease and 25 healthy controls (p less than 0.001). The increased viscosity was due partly to a higher packed cell volume and partly to a higher fibrinogen concentration; plasma viscosity was not significantly increased. These differences could not be explained by smoking history. These results suggest an association between increased blood viscosity and extensive coronary artery disease in men, which merits further investigation.     

Free radicals, lipid peroxidation and the antioxidant system in the blood of cows and newborn calves around calving

The oxidative stress of birth in cattle (Bos taurus) was evaluated by measuring steady state concentration of free radicals in whole blood, rate of lipid peroxidation and activity of antioxidant enzymes in erythrocytes, antioxidant capacity of blood plasma in 14 calves at birth and four times after birth until 3 weeks of age and also in their mothers at calving. The same parameters were also measured in 58 dairy cows before calving, at parturition and after calving. Free radical concentration in the blood of newborn calves was higher than in cows confirming that birth means oxidative stress for calves. Red blood cell malondialdehyde in calves was the highest at birth and following the first solid feed intake at the third week. Superoxide dismutase activity increased in calves during the first three weeks of life. Ferric reducing ability of plasma was higher in calves at birth than in cows and decreased thereafter. Higher superoxide dismutase activity in red blood cells and lower ferric reducing ability of plasma in dairy cows was found at calving compared to the average of all pre- and post-calving results. We conclude that the blood of newborn calves is well prepared to deal with the oxidative stress of birth, and that such a stress is present even when some fingerprint markers of redox imbalance show no apparent alterations. Stress of calving has minor effects on the antioxidant system of cows.     

The effects of major and minor trauma on lymphocyte kinetics in mice.

The effects of major and minor trauma on the circulating white blood cell populations of C57BL mice were followed. The results showed that not only major trauma (nephrectomy) but minor injury and stress (e.g. injection, bleeding) triggered a highly significant fall (50-70%) in the number of lymphocytes circulating in the blood. The fall was a gradual one, with the maximal drop 2 h after the operation or handling procedure. Major trauma resulted in a fall in both B and T lymphocytes. Minor trauma produced a fall in B lymphocytes only. A 3-4 fold increase in circulating polymorph numbers also accompanied major trauma, but no increase was observed after minor trauma. The blood picture returned to normal generally within 24 h of both minor and major trauma. Repetition of the trauma stimulus after recovery led to a renewed trauma response. Bilateral adrenalectomy abolished the lymphocyte response to major and minor trauma and decreased the polymorph response to major trauma by more than 50%, indicating that stress hormones played a role in these changes. Studies with 51chromium-labelled lymphocytes, transferred into traumatized and adrenalectomized animals, suggested that decreased entry of lymphocytes into the blood (rather than increased exit from the blood into the tissues, or cell death) was the most likely mechanism of the lymphopenia following trauma.