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Primary immune responsiveness and other observations in mice given oral dimethyl sulfoxide
Abstract:
Mice were allowed to drink 5% DMSO in their drinking water ad libitum for a period of six weeks, during which time a number of variables were compared with age-, weight-, and sex-matched control mice given ordinary tap water. The amount of DMSO consumed increased from a daily average of 27 g/kg/mouse during the first week to 52 g/kg/mouse by the end of the third week. Significant decreases were observed in the treated animals for total body weight, percent spleen weight relative to total body weight, and serum volume, while serum immunoglobulin concentrations remained unchanged. Mice given 4.4 g/kg DMSO intraperitoneally for 7 days, however, revealed significant losses in serum IgG and IgA, but not IgM. The effect of DMSO on the primary humoral response was assessed following immunization of mice with sheep red blood cells either 16 days or 8 weeks after the start of DMSO. Compared with similarly immunized controls, test animals demonstrated moderate, but significant, reductions in both spontaneous and facilitated plaque-forming cells, hemagglutination titres, and serum concentrations of IgG1. Based on a comparison of the two DMSO-treated groups, the degree of immune inhibition increased and the peak of the response was delayed relative to the length of time of DMSO ingestion prior to immunization.
Insights
Dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) consumption in mice led to decreased body weight and spleen size. DMSO also moderately suppressed the primary humoral immune response, impacting antibody production and immune cell activity.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Toxicology
Background:
- Dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) is a widely used solvent with potential biological effects.
- Understanding DMSO's impact on physiological and immunological parameters is crucial for its safe application.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of chronic oral and acute intraperitoneal DMSO administration on mice.
- To assess DMSO's influence on body weight, organ weight, serum volume, immunoglobulin levels, and the primary humoral immune response.
Main Methods:
- Mice received 5% DMSO in drinking water for six weeks or 4.4 g/kg DMSO intraperitoneally for 7 days.
- Physiological parameters (body weight, spleen weight, serum volume) and immunoglobulin concentrations were measured.
- Humoral immune response was evaluated after sheep red blood cell immunization using plaque-forming cells and hemagglutination assays.
Main Results:
- Chronic oral DMSO led to decreased body weight, spleen weight, and serum volume.
- Acute intraperitoneal DMSO caused significant reductions in serum IgG and IgA.
- DMSO exposure reduced plaque-forming cells, hemagglutination titers, and IgG1 concentrations, indicating immune suppression.
Conclusions:
- Chronic oral DMSO administration affects body weight and spleen size.
- DMSO demonstrably suppresses the primary humoral immune response in a dose- and time-dependent manner.
- Further research is warranted to elucidate the specific mechanisms of DMSO-induced immunomodulation.