Selective suppression of in vitro T-dependent humoral immunity by synthetic food additive antioxidants

J Toxicol Sci. 1996 Feb;21(1):41-5. doi: 10.2131/jts.21.41.

Abstract

Effect of antioxidants on humoral immune responses, such as butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT), n-propyl gallate (PG) and dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) is suppression in vitro antibody production. These antioxidants all inhibited T-dependent B cell response, not T-independent and polyclonal B cell response. These data suggest that antioxidants suppress humoral immunity by suppression of regulation of T cells or action of macrophages on B cells, not by direct suppression of B cells. The other possible explanation for antioxidant action is the lack of T-B cell contact required for the triggering of the B cell response with T-dependent antigens.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antibody Formation / drug effects*
  • Antioxidants / toxicity*
  • Butylated Hydroxytoluene / toxicity*
  • Dimethyl Sulfoxide / toxicity*
  • Food Preservatives / toxicity*
  • Mice
  • Propyl Gallate / toxicity*
  • Spleen / drug effects
  • T-Lymphocytes / drug effects*

Substances

  • Antioxidants
  • Food Preservatives
  • Butylated Hydroxytoluene
  • Propyl Gallate
  • Dimethyl Sulfoxide