Enhancement of Chemiluminescent Response of Phagocytic Cells from Juvenile Rockfish, Sebastes schlegeli, by Oral Administration of Levamisole

The chemiluminescent (CL) response of phagocytes from juvenile rockfish, Sebastes schlegeli, which were administered orally with levamisole was investigated. The fish intubated with doses of levamisole either at 0.5mg $kg^-$ or 1 mg $kg^-$body weight showed significant increase in CL responses at two weeks after the administration. The increased extent of CL in the fish exposed to 0.5 mg $kg^-$ body weight was considerably lower than that in the fish exposed to 1 mg $kg^-$. The fish exposed to 5 mg $kg^-$ body weight showed a steady and significant increase of CL response after the intubation. The fish intubated with 10 mg of levamisole $kg^-$ body weight, however, showed no significant differences in CL response after the administration. In the experiment of feeding experimental diet, a lower dose of levamisole induced immunostimulation of phagocytes, but higher doses of levamisole induced immunosuppression of phagocytes. At one week after marking and blood sampling, plasma glucose level was significantly increased in the control group and the group intubated 0.5 mg levamisole/kg body weight. However, the fish in another groups, which were administered higher levels of levamisole, showed no significant difference in glucose level after marking and blood sampling. The result of the present study suggests that levamisole can be used as a potent immunostimulator in rockfish by oral administration, and the immunomodulating activity of levamisole depends on the dosage used.