| Abstrakt: |
1 We investigated the effect of bisphenol A (BPA), which binds estrogen receptors, on immune responses including production of antigen-specific antibodies, proliferative responses of lymphoid cells, and Th1 and Th2 responses. 2 For this investigation, mice were p.o. given varying doses including 3, 30, 300, and 3000 µg kg[sup -1] of BPA immediately after immunization with hen egg lysozyme (HEL) (day 0) and then daily by day 20. On day 21, anti-HEL IgG antibodies in sera and proliferative responses of spleen cells to the antigen were measured. Anti-HEL IgG2a antibodies and IFN-γ secreted from splenic lymphocytes were also measured as indicators of Th1 immune responses, while anti-HEL IgG1 antibodies and IL-4, as those of Th2 responses. 3 The results showed that treatment with 3000 µg kg[sup -1] of BPA was followed by a significant increase in anti-HEL IgG as well as the antigen-specific cell proliferation. Anti-HEL IgG2a production and IFN-γ secretion were significantly enhanced in mice treated with 300 and 30 µg kg[sup -1] of BPA, respectively, while anti-HEL IgG1 production and IL-4 secretion were augmented in animals given 3000 and 300 µg kg[sup -1] of the chemical, respectively. 4 Augmentation of these immune responses was also observed in mice exposed to 0.3-30 µg kg[sup -1] of estradiol, although Th1 responses appeared to be more sensitive to the sex hormone than Th2 responses. 5 These results suggest that BPA may play a role in augmenting immune responses, especially Th1 responses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
