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.
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.
Houben
G F
GF
Dept of Immunotoxicology, University of Utrecht, The Netherlands.
van Dokkum
W
W
van Loveren
H
H
Penninks
A H
AH
Seinen
W
W
Spanhaak
S
S
Ockhuizen
T
T
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
D002241:Carbohydrates; D005505:Food Coloring Agents; D009930:Organic Chemicals; C569050:caramel coloring; D011732:Pyridoxal Phosphate; D001219:Aspartate Aminotransferases