Reduction in mitogenic response of bovine lymphocytes by ketone bodies

The effect of toxic or subtoxic concentrations of ketone bodies (acetone, beta-hydroxybutyrate, acetoacetate) in blood on function of bovine lymphocytes was studied in vitro. Lymphocytes separated from peripheral bovine blood were distributed into the wells of Linbro Microtiter plates containing control medium and test medium with various concentrations of ketones and/or phytohemagglutinin. The mitogenic response of lymphocytes was measured by incorporation of [3H]thymidine into DNA of lymphocytes. Toxic and subtoxic concentrations of beta-hydroxybutyrate or the toxic concentration of acetoacetate significantly affected the mitogenic response of bovine lymphocytes. The reduction in the mitogenic response also occurred when lymphocytes were only preincubated for 2 hours or longer with beta-hydroxybutyrate or acetoacetate. The presence of the toxic concentration of acetone in the medium did not affect the mitogenic stimulation of lymphocytes.