Humoral and cellular immune functions are not compromised by the anticarcinogenic Bowman-Birk inhibitor.
Previous studies have demonstrated that the soybean-derived Bowman-Birk protease inhibitor (BBI) is effective as a cancer chemopreventive agent in several animal model systems. Proteases represent a key component of several aspects of immune function; therefore the immune system is a primary target for potential toxicity. The present investigation examines the effect of dietary and intraperitoneally administered BBI on antibody response to keyhole limpet hemocyanin and delayed-type hypersensitivity response to dinitrochlorobenzene. Primary antibody response was not altered by BBI treatment; however, an elevated secondary response was observed in animals receiving dietary BBI at two weeks of age. This effect was not observed at later time points. No change in delayed-type hypersensitivity response was observed in any of the treatment groups.
Maki
P A
PA
Department of Radiation Oncology, School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia 19104.
Kennedy
A R
AR
D000818:Animals; D000917:Antibody Formation / Q000187:drug effects*; D004137:Dinitrochlorobenzene / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004435:Eating; D006433:Hemocyanins / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000276:immunology; D006968:Hypersensitivity, Delayed; D007111:Immunity, Cellular / Q000187:drug effects*; D007114:Immunization; D007274:Injections, Intraperitoneal; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D014358:Trypsin Inhibitor, Bowman-Birk Soybean / Q000008:administration & dosage*
D004137:Dinitrochlorobenzene; D014358:Trypsin Inhibitor, Bowman-Birk Soybean; D006433:Hemocyanins; C032808:keyhole-limpet hemocyanin