Malnutrition interferes with the unique lymphadenopathy induced in Lewis rats by metallic tin

Metallic tin powder injected into Lewis rats caused marked enlargement of draining lymph nodes with prominent hyperplasia of plasma cells. A low level of dietary protein (8%) or deficiency of choline interfered with the cellular proliferation and reduced the size of the nodes by nearly one-third compared to a normal protein diet (20%). A high level of protein in the diet (50%) did not augment the effect of metallic tin powder beyond that achieved by a level usually considered adequate (20%).