Effects of chlordecone and malnutrition on immune response in rats

Effect of Chlordecone (Cd) and malnutrition on total body and spleen weights, and plaque forming cells (PFC) were studied. Rats were fed on normal, calcium (Ca-D), protein (P-D) or Ca+P-deficient diets containing 0, 10 or 100 ppm of Cd for 2 or 4 weeks. High (95-100%) mortality was observed in malnourished rats treated with 100 ppm of Cd for 4 weeks. A slight decrease in body weight and an increase in spleen weight was observed in normal but not malnourished rats treated with 10 ppm of Cd for 4 weeks. PFC were significantly increased in both malnourished and Cd-treated rats. Similar increase in PFC was observed in rats fed on Ca-D but not P-D diet containing 10 or 100 ppm of Cd. Whereas, rats fed on Ca+P-D diet containing 100 ppm of Cd exhibited a significant decrease in PFC.