Comparison of the immunotoxicity of propanil and its metabolite, 3,4-dichloroaniline, in C57Bl/6 mice.
Propanil (3,4-dichloropropionaniline), used extensively as a postemergence herbicide in rice and wheat, has as its major metabolite, 3,4-dichloroaniline (DCA). Propanil has previously been shown to affect the T cell-dependent antibody response. To determine the immunotoxicity of DCA, as well as extend the previous immunotoxicity studies, several T cell-dependent and -independent immune responses were determined after DCA or propanil exposure. Unlike propanil, DCA caused a significant reduction in T-dependent antibody production (anti-SRBC response) only at a high dose (150 mg/kg). DCA or propanil at 150 or 200 mg/kg, respectively, caused a significant reduction in the number of anti-DNP antibody producing cells. However, doses of 37 or 50 mg/kg of DCA or propanil, respectively, caused an increase in the number of anti-DNP antibody producing cells. These data indicate that both propanil and DCA have a differential effect on the T-independent antibody response depending on the dose. Similar to propanil, DCA (at 150 mg/kg) caused a significant increase in spleen weight and cellularity. The effect of DCA or propanil on selected cellular immune functions was also determined. DCA caused a significant decrease in the natural killer (NK) cell activity at doses of 75 or 150 mg/kg, and propanil caused a significant decrease at 100 or 200 mg/kg. Cytotoxic T lymphocyte activity, however, was unaffected even at 150 or 200 mg/kg DCA or propanil, respectively. Thus, it appears that T cells are relatively resistant to the effects of propanil and DCA, whereas, other immune cell types, e.g., NK cells are sensitive to its effects.
Barnett
J B
JB
Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock 72205.
Gandy
J
J
Wilbourn
D
D
Theus
S A
SA
D000814:Aniline Compounds / Q000276:immunology / Q000633:toxicity*; D000818:Animals; D000917:Antibody Formation / Q000187:drug effects; D002452:Cell Count / Q000187:drug effects; D005260:Female; D007109:Immunity / Q000187:drug effects*; D007694:Killer Cells, Natural / Q000187:drug effects; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D011411:Propanil / Q000276:immunology / Q000633:toxicity*; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000187:drug effects
D000814:Aniline Compounds; C014464:3,4-dichloroaniline; D011411:Propanil