Effects of acetate on the immune system of mice

The effects of acetate on antibody production and cell-mediated immunity in mice were investigated. Polyclonal antibody responses could be enhanced in vivo by single intraperitoneal administration of acetate (5 mg/mouse) in C57BL/6 mice but not in DBA/2 mice. No enhancement of antibody production by acetate was also induced in athymic C57BL/6 nude mice and carrageenan-pretreated, macrophage-depleted mice. The inoculation of acetate-nonresponder BDF1 mice with T-cells and peritoneal adherent cells derived from acetate-treated C57BL/6 mice resulted in an enhanced antibody response. These results suggest that acetate increases polyclonal antibody responses in vivo by activating indirectly T-cells and macrophages. Acetate administration increased delayed hypersensitivity to pircryl chloride in C57BL/6 mice but not in DBA/2 mice. Allogeneic mixed lymphocyte reaction (MLR) of T-lymphocytes derived from the spleen of acetate-treated C57BL/6 mice was also enhanced. The natural killer (NK) activity and antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity (ADCC) were also increased in C57BL/6 mice that were administered acetate. The possible mechanism of the immunopotentiating effect of this chemical is discussed.