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Effects of a novel perfluorochemical emulsion on lymphoid tissues and immunocompetence in rats: time course effects

K C Lowe1, A D Bollands, P D Raven

  • 1Department of Zoology, University of Nottingham, University Park, U.K.

1. The effects of intravenous (i.v.) injection of low doses of a novel perfluorochemical (PFC) emulsion on lymphoid tissues and antibody production against i.v.-injected sheep red blood cells (SRBC) have been studied relative to the timing of immunization in rats. 2. Spleen and, to a lesser extent, liver weights were significantly increased in response to injection of emulsion but no consistent pattern was observed. 3. Thymus weight was consistently decreased following injection of emulsion; in contrast, mesenteric lymph node (MLN) weights were unchanged throughout except for a significant increase in animals injected with emulsion 24 hr prior to immunization. 4. The mean plasma antibody titre to SRBC showed a variable response in animals receiving the emulsion: titres were significantly increased in rats injected with emulsion 1 hr prior to immunization whereas they were significantly reduced in animals injected with emulsion 7 days before SRBC. 5. These results show that lymphoid tissue weights and plasma antibody titres to SRBC vary according to the time of a previous or subsequent injection of PFC emulsion.

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