Immunotoxicity of ionic liquid [C₁₄mim]BF₄ in rats

Ionic liquid tetrafluoroborated-1-tetradecyl-3-methylimidazole salt ([C₁₄mim]BF₄) immunotoxicity was investigated in rats using three exposure groups (12.5, 25, and 50 mg kg^-1), one recovery group (50 mg kg^-1), and a control group without any treatment. The findings demonstrated that, at low doses, [C₁₄mim]BF₄ could raise WBC, NEU, and MID and lysozyme levels as well as spleen T-lymphocyte stimulation index in rats, however at high doses, the aforementioned indices were dramatically lowered. As the dose was raised, the proportion of RBC and PLT in the blood as well as CD4⁺ and CD8⁺ in the spleen increased, but the quantity of immunoglobulin IgG, IgA, and IgM in the serum as well as the number of NK cells in the spleen considerably dropped. Even though there were varying degrees of improvement 30 days after ceasing exposure, all these changes were unable to return to normal, and the number of NK cells was further decreased. The study demonstrates that [C₁₄mim]BF₄ can damage the specific immunity and non-specific immunity of rats, and cause immune dysfunction.