title: Butylated hydroxyanisole affects immunomodulation and promotes macrophage             phagocytosis in normal BALB/c mice.
abstract: Butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA), a synthetic antioxidant, has been used in fat and fatty foods to prevent oxidative deterioration. However, the functions of BHA on immune responses in normal mice remain elusive. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of oral treatment of BHA on immune responses in normal mice in vivo. BALB/c mice received various treatments. Blood samples were collected and analyzed. Flow cytometry was used to determine the levels of the cell markers. Results showed that BHA did not significantly affect the weight of the animal body and spleen in normal mice. BHA promoted macrophage phagocytosis from peripheral blood mononuclear cells, but did not alter this process in the peritoneal cavity. Furthermore, BHA did not influence natural-killer cell cytotoxicity in normal mice. Notably, BHA promoted the levels of CD3 (T cells) and decreased the level of CD19 (B cells), but did not significantly affect the levels of CD11b (monocytes) and macrophages (Mac-3) in normal mice. Based on these observations it can be concluded that BHA promotes immune responses by increasing T cells and activating phagocytosis by macrophages in normal mice. However, the molecular mechanisms require further investigation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgical Intensive Care Unit, Far Eastern Memorial Hospital, New Taipei 220, Taiwan, ROC.
authors.forename: Fang-Ming
authors.initials: FM
authors.lastname: Hung
authors.forename: Ying-Ying
authors.initials: YY
authors.lastname: Chuang
authors.forename: Ching-Sung
authors.initials: CS
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Yung-Liang
authors.initials: YL
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Jai-Sing
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.forename: Jen-Jyh
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.forename: Kung-Wen
authors.initials: KW
authors.lastname: Lu
authors.forename: Hui-Ying
authors.initials: HY
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.forename: Chien-Chih
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Yu
authors.forename: Hsu-Feng
authors.initials: HF
authors.lastname: Lu
authors.forename: Jing-Gung
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: Chung
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D000818:Animals; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology; D001835:Body Weight; D002083:Butylated Hydroxyanisole / Q000494:pharmacology*; D007155:Immunologic Factors / Q000494:pharmacology*; D007694:Killer Cells, Natural / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology; D008264:Macrophages / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000276:immunology; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D010587:Phagocytosis / Q000187:drug effects*; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D000975:Antioxidants; D007155:Immunologic Factors; D002083:Butylated Hydroxyanisole