title: Influence of sodium diethyldithiocarbamate (Imuthiol) on lymphocyte function and growth in weanling pigs.
abstract: Mitogen-stimulated lymphocyte proliferation, delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) reactions, interleukin-2 (IL-2) production, and growth performance were evaluated in 3-week-old pigs treated with imuthiol. Lymphocyte proliferative responses to Con A and PWM were reduced (P less than 0.05) in pigs treated with imuthiol at 25 mg/kg; PHA proliferative responses were not influenced by imuthiol treatment. Imuthiol at 2.5 mg/kg lowered IL-2 production when compared to saline-treated controls. Delayed-type hypersensitivity responses to PHA were higher in 25 mg/kg imuthiol-treated pigs; however, 2.5 mg/kg imuthiol-treated pigs had lower DHT reactions. Imuthiol at 2.5 mg/kg and 25 mg/kg reduced (P less than 0.05) average daily feed intake. These data suggest that in vivo imuthiol treatment in pigs lowers lymphocyte proliferative responses, IL-2 production, and growth performance.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anatomy and Physiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Kansas State University, Manhattan 66506.
authors.forename: K P
authors.initials: KP
authors.lastname: Flaming
authors.forename: R C
authors.initials: RC
authors.lastname: Thaler
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Blecha
authors.forename: J L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Nelssen
mesh_terms: D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic / Q000494:pharmacology; D000818:Animals; D004050:Ditiocarb / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006968:Hypersensitivity, Delayed / Q000378:metabolism; D007376:Interleukin-2 / Q000096:biosynthesis; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation / Q000187:drug effects*; D008934:Mitogens / Q000494:pharmacology; D013552:Swine / Q000254:growth & development / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic; D007376:Interleukin-2; D008934:Mitogens; D004050:Ditiocarb