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The effects of butylated hydroxyanisole and butylated hydroxytoluene on the immune status in normal male mice were evaluated. They exhibited the significant decrease in the circulating leukocyte counts. Relative spleen and thymus weights were slightly decreased, but not statistically significant. There were, however, significant liver hypertrophies in their exposed mice. Splenic IgM PFCs per one million cells in 1/20 LD50 BHA and BHT exposed mice were significantly reduced. IgM PFCs per spleen were similar to those of control, except in 1/20 LD50 BHA exposed mice, where they were significantly suppressed. The precise nature of the inhibition is not clear. Direct cytotoxicity is not responsible for the depressed antibody response, even following relatively high doses of them, because the changes in spleen cellularity are not significant. Both substances, however, did not show any effects on the arthus reaction and delayed hypersensitivity reaction induced by heat-aggregated bovine serum albumin, and in vivo phagocytosis of colloidal carbon. In the light of the present results, in vivo antibody response as well as in vitro, may be sensitive to BHA and BHT. Further elucidation of the precise nature of antibody suppression in their exposed mice, is warranted.
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