[The combined effect of ionizing radiation and benzene on immunoreactivity indices in the spleen and lymph nodes].

Under the influence of the combined action of gamma irradiation (1 Gy, 1,15 Gy/min) and benzene the synergistic reduction of proportion and absolute content of B-cells and less expressed reduction of absolute content T-cells in spleen and lymph nodes was observed. In spleen the thymus-dependent humoral immune response was resistant to combined effect of irradiation and benzene, while in lymph nodes it was highly sensitive. The profound suppression of antibody formation in lymph nodes was characterized by synergism. It was accompanied by the block of specific recruitment of antigen sensitive cells within drained lymph nodes from migrating stream. The suppression of local immune response resulting from the combined effect of radiation and toxicants may be the cause of protective immunity disturbance.