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Lymphopenic effects on mice of a component of ammonia caramel, 2‐acetyl‐4(5)‐tetrahydroxybutylimidazole (THI)
Author(s) -
Iscaro Angelina,
Mackay Ian R,
O'Brien Catherine
Publication year - 1988
Publication title -
immunology and cell biology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.999
H-Index - 104
eISSN - 1440-1711
pISSN - 0818-9641
DOI - 10.1038/icb.1988.51
Subject(s) - component (thermodynamics) , ammonia , chemistry , food science , biochemistry , physics , thermodynamics
Summary A derivative of ammonia caramel colour (AC) is known to induce a selective lymphopenia in rats. Accordingly, the haematological effects were studied in mice of oral administration in drinking water of 2‐acetyl‐4(5)‐tetrahydroxybutylimidazole (THI), the component of AC responsible for lymphopenia. Initially five groups of BALB/c mice (five mice per group) were given doses of THI ranging from 0 to 200 parts/10 6 and bled weekly. Doses of THI from 5 to 100 parts/10 6 had no effect on circulating leucocytes over 6 weeks, but lymphopenia occurred with 200 parts/10 6 . An increase in the concentration of THI to 400 parts/10 6 in the group on the lowest dose resulted in lymphopenia. An increase in dosagein two groups of mice, to 1000 and 2000 parts/10 6 , resulted in marked lymphopenia. The number of neutrophils, eosinophils and monocytes remained unchanged throughout the experiment. Measurement of the proportions of CD4(L3T4) + and CD8(Ly2) + lymphocytes in lymph nodes from mice on high doses of THI did not show a selective depression of either subset, although both were increased relative to non‐T cells. THI causes a selective lymphopenia in mice, as in rats, but at relatively higher doses, and merits investigation in mice as an experimental treatment for states of lymphocyte excess or overactivity.