Variations of lymphocyte populations 72

C = Control, R = Restrained, HU = Hindlimb Unloaded.* p = 0.025 versus C. ¤p = 0.081 versus C.After 72 hours of culture, cells were incubated with fluorescent antibodies before identification by flow cytometry. Specific subpopulations of lymphocytes were determined within the lymphocyte gate. The formula [(% population stimulated - % population unstimulated)/% population unstimulated] was used to calculate the percentage of variation after stimulation with mitogens. Each group was compared to the others. n = 5 mice per group. Statistically significant differences were found using an ANOVA and Tukey post-hoc tests. After LPS stimulation, the number of total lymphocytes was increased by only 16.9% in the hindlimb unloaded (HU) group compared to 41.6% in control (C) mice, corresponding to a reduction of 60% that was significantly different (p = 0.025 versus C). Data are mean values ± SEM.