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Effect of dietary pristane and other saturated mineral oils (MOSH) on autoimmune arthritis in rats
Monica Andreassen1, Hege Hjertholm1, Jean-Pierre Cravedi2
1Norwegian Institute of Public Health, PO Box 4404, NO-0403 Oslo, Norway.
Abstract:
Pristane and other adjuvants based on mineral oil saturated hydrocarbons (MOSH) may induce autoimmunity in rodents after intradermal injection; however there is a lack of information on immune effects after oral MOSH exposure. The aim of our study was to determine the impact of dietary exposure to pristane and other MOSH on the development of autoimmune arthritis. Dark Agouti (DA) rats were given feed containing 4000 mg/kg pristane or a broad MOSH mixture in various concentrations (0-4000 mg/kg) for 90 days, or a single intradermal injection of 200 μl pristane (positive control). Arthritis scores, and serum and splenocyte markers previously associated with arthritis development, were determined. All rats injected with pristane displayed arthritis symptoms and higher levels of certain serum markers. None of the rats fed pristane or MOSH developed arthritis symptoms or demonstrated clear changes in any measured arthritis-associated biological markers in serum or splenocytes. The absence of clinical arthritis symptoms or any increase in common arthritis-associated biological markers in sera and spleen following dietary exposure to pristane or a broad MOSH mixture in a sub-chronic rat model of arthritis suggest that dietary MOSH have low capacity to promote development of autoimmunity.
Insights
Dietary exposure to mineral oil saturated hydrocarbons (MOSH), including pristane, did not induce autoimmune arthritis in rats. This suggests that oral MOSH intake has a low capacity to promote autoimmune disease development.
Area of Science:
- Toxicology
- Immunology
- Rheumatology
Background:
- Mineral oil saturated hydrocarbons (MOSH), such as pristane, are known to induce autoimmunity in rodents via intradermal injection.
- Limited data exists regarding the immunological effects of oral MOSH exposure.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of dietary exposure to pristane and other MOSH on the development of autoimmune arthritis.
- To assess potential changes in serum and splenocyte markers associated with arthritis.
Main Methods:
- Dark Agouti (DA) rats were fed diets containing pristane or a MOSH mixture for 90 days.
- A positive control group received an intradermal injection of pristane.
- Arthritis scores and immunological markers in serum and splenocytes were evaluated.
Main Results:
- Rats receiving intradermal pristane injections developed arthritis and showed elevated serum markers.
- No arthritis symptoms or significant changes in measured arthritis-associated biomarkers were observed in rats fed pristane or MOSH.
- Dietary MOSH exposure did not induce clinical or serological signs of autoimmune arthritis.
Conclusions:
- Sub-chronic dietary exposure to pristane or a broad MOSH mixture does not appear to promote the development of autoimmune arthritis in rats.
- These findings suggest that oral MOSH intake has a low capacity to induce autoimmunity compared to intradermal administration.
