title: Spleen and thymus histology and proliferative response of splenic cells in rats fed raw and cooked Phaseolus vulgaris beans.
abstract: Histological studies of the spleen and thymus of rats fed raw black beans (Phaseolus vulgaris) show an atrophy of both lymphoid organs. Decrease in relative thymus weight was most marked. All histological organization of this organ appeared altered. An evident decrease in cell number was also observed in both organs. Proliferative response of splenic cells stimulated in vitro with Concanavalin A was increased as compared to that from animals fed the control diet. It is likely that histological changes observed in the spleen and the thymus are due mainly to a protein caloric deficiency, although the possibility that toxic factors present in the raw diet have an effect on the immune system of the rat can not be overruled.
authors.affiliation: Centro de Biología Celular, Escuela de Biología, Universidad Central de Venezuela.
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Toro
authors.forename: A L
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Benshimol
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: González Elorriaga
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Soyano
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001284:Atrophy; D001835:Body Weight / Q000187:drug effects; D004044:Dietary Proteins / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000633:toxicity; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000633:toxicity; D007887:Fabaceae / Q000633:toxicity; D005511:Food Handling; D006358:Hot Temperature; D007153:Immunologic Deficiency Syndromes / Q000139:chemically induced*; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation / Q000187:drug effects*; D008297:Male; D009929:Organ Size / Q000187:drug effects; D010835:Phytohemagglutinins / Q000633:toxicity; D037121:Plant Lectins; D010940:Plant Proteins / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000633:toxicity; D010946:Plants, Medicinal; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D013154:Spleen / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000473:pathology; D013634:Tannins / Q000633:toxicity; D013950:Thymus Gland / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000473:pathology
chemical_list: D004044:Dietary Proteins; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors; D010835:Phytohemagglutinins; D037121:Plant Lectins; D010940:Plant Proteins; D013634:Tannins; C100156:leukoagglutinins, plants