Effect of phenytoin on antibody production: use of a murine model

An animal model was used to study the effects of phenytoin on immune function. Inbred NFS mice, injected with phenytoin, 10-40 mg/kg, and immunized with bovine serum albumin (BSA), demonstrated a dose-dependent decrease in production of IgG antibodies to BSA. Phenytoin at the dosages used in this study did not appear to be overtly toxic to immune organs and cells as judged by normal weights of thymus and spleen and normal WBC counts of mice injected with phenytoin. In addition, mice receiving phenytoin had normal body weights, liver weights, and hematocrits. The usefulness of an animal model to study immunomodulatory effects of antiepileptic drugs is discussed.