title: Effects of a novel perfluorochemical emulsion on lymphoid tissues and immunocompetence in rats: time course effects relative to immunological challenge.
abstract: 1. The effects of intravenous (i.v.) injection of low doses of a novel perfluorochemical (PFC) emulsion on lymphoid tissues and antibody production against i.v.-injected sheep red blood cells (SRBC) have been studied relative to the timing of immunization in rats. 2. Spleen and, to a lesser extent, liver weights were significantly increased in response to injection of emulsion but no consistent pattern was observed. 3. Thymus weight was consistently decreased following injection of emulsion; in contrast, mesenteric lymph node (MLN) weights were unchanged throughout except for a significant increase in animals injected with emulsion 24 hr prior to immunization. 4. The mean plasma antibody titre to SRBC showed a variable response in animals receiving the emulsion: titres were significantly increased in rats injected with emulsion 1 hr prior to immunization whereas they were significantly reduced in animals injected with emulsion 7 days before SRBC. 5. These results show that lymphoid tissue weights and plasma antibody titres to SRBC vary according to the time of a previous or subsequent injection of PFC emulsion.
authors.affiliation: Department of Zoology, University of Nottingham, University Park, U.K.
authors.forename: K C
authors.initials: KC
authors.lastname: Lowe
authors.forename: A D
authors.initials: AD
authors.lastname: Bollands
authors.forename: P D
authors.initials: PD
authors.lastname: Raven
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000917:Antibody Formation / Q000187:drug effects; D004338:Drug Combinations / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology; D004655:Emulsions; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000276:immunology; D005260:Female; D005466:Fluorocarbons / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006895:Hydroxyethyl Starch Derivatives; D007121:Immunocompetence / Q000187:drug effects*; D008221:Lymphoid Tissue / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000187:drug effects*; D009929:Organ Size / Q000187:drug effects; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D004338:Drug Combinations; D004655:Emulsions; D005466:Fluorocarbons; D006895:Hydroxyethyl Starch Derivatives; C017323:glucose, glycerol, hydroxyethyl starch, perfluorodecalin, perfluorotripropylamine, pluronic F-68, salts, yolk phospholipids drug combination