title: Effects of Caramel Colour III on the number of blood lymphocytes: a human study on Caramel Colour III immunotoxicity and a comparison of the results with data from rat studies.
abstract: Administration of the colour additive Ammonia Caramel Colour (Caramel Colour III) to rats has been associated with decreased lymphocyte counts, specifically in rats fed a diet low in vitamin B6. This effect is rapidly reversible and is caused by an imidazole derivative (THI) in Caramel Colour III. In the present paper, the conduct of a human study with Caramel Colour III is outlined and the results of blood lymphocyte counts are presented. No decrease in the number of blood lymphocytes occurred in marginally vitamin B6-deficient humans who consumed Caramel Colour III at the acceptable daily intake level (200 mg/kg body weight/day) for 7 days. These data are discussed in relation to the effects of Caramel Colour III and THI on blood lymphocyte numbers in rats.
authors.affiliation: Dept of Immunotoxicology, University of Utrecht, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: G F
authors.initials: GF
authors.lastname: Houben
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: van Dokkum
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: van Loveren
authors.forename: A H
authors.initials: AH
authors.lastname: Penninks
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Seinen
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Spanhaak
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Ockhuizen
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000818:Animals; D001219:Aspartate Aminotransferases / Q000097:blood; D002182:Candy; D002241:Carbohydrates; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005505:Food Coloring Agents / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D007958:Leukocyte Count / Q000187:drug effects; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000187:drug effects*; D008297:Male; D009930:Organic Chemicals; D011732:Pyridoxal Phosphate / Q000097:blood; D051381:Rats
chemical_list: D002241:Carbohydrates; D005505:Food Coloring Agents; D009930:Organic Chemicals; C569050:caramel coloring; D011732:Pyridoxal Phosphate; D001219:Aspartate Aminotransferases