ENHANCEMENT OF ANTIBODY RESPONSE AND DELAYED‐TYPE HYPERSENSITIVITY BY THALIDOMIDE IN MICE

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Abstract
Summary— Renewed interest in thalidomide stemmed from the suggestion by several authors that it might prove useful against immune‐related diseases. Despite interesting preliminary findings, little is actually known regarding its immunoenhancing properties in vivo. Male and female Swiss mice, aged 6–8 wk, were given 0.5 or 25 mg/kg/day of thalidomide orally for 4 wk. Various immunological parameters were then assessed. When compared to controls, mice exposed to the higher dose presented with a significantly increased thymus weight index, whereas spleen weight index remained unchanged. Anti‐sheep erythrocyte plaque‐forming cells and hemagglutinin titers were increased by 44% and 29%, respectively. Contact hypersensitivity to picryl chloride was enhanced by 62%. Finally, colloidal carbon clearance was not altered. Interestingly, the lower dose (5 mg/kg/day) exerted no effect whatsoever.