Lymphopenic effects on mice of a component of ammonia caramel, 2-acetyl-4(5)-tetrahydroxybutylimidazole (THI).

A derivative of ammonia caramel colour (AC) is known to induce a selective lymphopenia in rats. Accordingly, the haematological effects were studied in mice of oral administration in drinking water of 2-acetyl-4(5)-tetrahydroxybutylimidazole (THI), the component of AC responsible for lymphopenia. Initially five groups of BALB/c mice (five mice per group) were given doses of THI ranging from 0 to 200 parts/10(6) and bled weekly. Doses of THI from 5 to 100 parts/10(6) had no effect on circulating leucocytes over 6 weeks, but lymphopenia occurred with 200 parts/10(6). An increase in the concentration of THI to 400 parts/10(6) in the group on the lowest dose resulted in lymphopenia. An increase in dosage in two groups of mice, to 1000 and 2000 parts/10(6), resulted in marked lymphopenia. The number of neutrophils, eosinophils and monocytes remained unchanged throughout the experiment. Measurement of the proportions of CD4(L3T4)+ and CD8(Ly2)+ lymphocytes in lymph nodes from mice on high doses of THI did not show a selective depression of either subset, although both were increased relative to non-T cells. THI causes a selective lymphopenia in mice, as in rats, but at relatively higher doses, and merits investigation in mice as an experimental treatment for states of lymphocyte excess or overactivity.