BIOMAT Database Logo BIOMAT Database Logo

The SCID-hu mouse as a tool in immunotoxicological risk assessment: effects of 2-acetyl-4(5)-tetrahydroxybutyl-imidazole (THI) and di-n-butyltin dichloride (DBTC) on the human thymus in SCID-hu mice. 1995

C de Heer, and H J Schuurman, and G F Houben, and R H Pieters, and A H Penninks, and H van Loveren
National Institute of Public Health and Environmental Protection, Bilthoven, The Netherlands.

SCID mice engrafted with human fetal thymus and liver tissue fragments (SCID-hu mice) are currently considered as a new tool in human immunotoxicological risk assessment. Testing of various immunotoxicants exerting thymotoxicity via different intrathymic target cell types is necessary for validation of this model. Therefore, SCID-hu mice were exposed to 2-acetyl-4(5)-(1,2,3,4-tetrahydroxybutyl)-imidazole (THI), the immunotoxic component in the food additive, Caramel Colour III, or the organotin compound, di-n-butyltin dichloride (DBTC). Histopathological examination of the human thymus grafts of SCID-hu mice either exposed to THI or to DBTC showed a reduction in the relative size of the thymus cortex, an effect also described in rodents. These results indicate that the human thymus is a target for the immunotoxic action of both THI and DBTC. In addition, they indicate the promising potential of the SCID-hu mouse model as a tool for human immunotoxicological risk assessment.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D007093 Imidazoles Compounds containing 1,3-diazole, a five membered aromatic ring containing two nitrogen atoms separated by one of the carbons. Chemically reduced ones include IMIDAZOLINES and IMIDAZOLIDINES. Distinguish from 1,2-diazole (PYRAZOLES).
D007166 Immunosuppressive Agents Agents that suppress immune function by one of several mechanisms of action. Classical cytotoxic immunosuppressants act by inhibiting DNA synthesis. Others may act through activation of T-CELLS or by inhibiting the activation of HELPER CELLS. While immunosuppression has been brought about in the past primarily to prevent rejection of transplanted organs, new applications involving mediation of the effects of INTERLEUKINS and other CYTOKINES are emerging. Immunosuppressant,Immunosuppressive Agent,Immunosuppressants,Agent, Immunosuppressive,Agents, Immunosuppressive
D009930 Organic Chemicals A broad class of substances containing carbon and its derivatives. Many of these chemicals will frequently contain hydrogen with or without oxygen, nitrogen, sulfur, phosphorus, and other elements. They exist in either carbon chain or carbon ring form. Organic Chemical,Chemical, Organic,Chemicals, Organic
D009947 Organotin Compounds Organic compounds which contain tin in the molecule. Used widely in industry and agriculture. Compounds, Organotin
D002182 Candy Sweet food products combining cane or beet sugars with other carbohydrates and chocolate, milk, eggs, and various flavorings. In the United States, candy refers to both sugar- and cocoa-based confections and is differentiated from sweetened baked goods; elsewhere the terms sugar confectionary, chocolate confectionary, and flour confectionary (meaning goods such as cakes and pastries) are used. Confection,Caramel Candy,Candies,Candies, Caramel,Candy, Caramel,Caramel Candies,Confections
D002241 Carbohydrates A class of organic compounds composed of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen in a ratio of Cn(H2O)n. The largest class of organic compounds, including STARCH; GLYCOGEN; CELLULOSE; POLYSACCHARIDES; and simple MONOSACCHARIDES. Carbohydrate
D005260 Female Females
D005505 Food Coloring Agents Natural or synthetic dyes used as coloring agents in processed foods. Coloring Agents, Food,Food Colorants,Agents, Food Coloring,Colorants, Food
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000641 Ammonia A colorless alkaline gas. It is formed in the body during decomposition of organic materials during a large number of metabolically important reactions. Note that the aqueous form of ammonia is referred to as AMMONIUM HYDROXIDE.

Related Publications

C de Heer, and H J Schuurman, and G F Houben, and R H Pieters, and A H Penninks, and H van Loveren
Effects of 2-acetyl-4-tetrahydroxybutyl imidazole (THI) on the thymus of rats.
August 1992, Thymus,
C de Heer, and H J Schuurman, and G F Houben, and R H Pieters, and A H Penninks, and H van Loveren
Immunosuppressive effects of 2-acetyl-4-tetrahydroxybutyl imidazole (THI) in the rat.
August 1991, Clinical and experimental immunology,
C de Heer, and H J Schuurman, and G F Houben, and R H Pieters, and A H Penninks, and H van Loveren
Inhibition of human pyridoxal kinase by 2-acetyl-4-((1R,2S,3R)-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroxybutyl)imidazole (THI).
April 2015, Journal of enzyme inhibition and medicinal chemistry,
C de Heer, and H J Schuurman, and G F Houben, and R H Pieters, and A H Penninks, and H van Loveren
Effect of pyridoxine on the disposition and lymphopenic effects of 2-acetyl-4(5)-tetrahydroxybutyl imidazole in the rat.
June 1990, Xenobiotica; the fate of foreign compounds in biological systems,
C de Heer, and H J Schuurman, and G F Houben, and R H Pieters, and A H Penninks, and H van Loveren
Sphingosine 1-phosphate lyase inhibition by 2-acetyl-4-(tetrahydroxybutyl)imidazole (THI) under conditions of vitamin B6 deficiency.
February 2015, Molecular and cellular biochemistry,
C de Heer, and H J Schuurman, and G F Houben, and R H Pieters, and A H Penninks, and H van Loveren
Toxic effects of di-n-octyltin dichloride on the thymus in mice.
January 1979, Archives of toxicology. Supplement. = Archiv fur Toxikologie. Supplement,
C de Heer, and H J Schuurman, and G F Houben, and R H Pieters, and A H Penninks, and H van Loveren
Solid-phase extraction of 4(5)-methylimidazole (4MeI) and 2-acetyl-4(5)-(1,2,3,4-tetrahydroxybutyl)-imidazole (THI) from foods and beverages with subsequent liquid chromatographic-electrospray mass spectrometric quantification.
February 2006, Journal of separation science,
C de Heer, and H J Schuurman, and G F Houben, and R H Pieters, and A H Penninks, and H van Loveren
Lymphopenic effects on mice of a component of ammonia caramel, 2-acetyl-4(5)-tetrahydroxybutylimidazole (THI).
January 1988, Immunology and cell biology,
C de Heer, and H J Schuurman, and G F Houben, and R H Pieters, and A H Penninks, and H van Loveren
Dysmorphogenic effects of di-n-butyltin dichloride in cultured rat embryos.
October 1995, Toxicology in vitro : an international journal published in association with BIBRA,
C de Heer, and H J Schuurman, and G F Houben, and R H Pieters, and A H Penninks, and H van Loveren
Caramel colour and process contaminants in foods and beverages: Part II - Occurrence data and exposure assessment of 2-acetyl-4-(1,2,3,4-tetrahydroxybutyl)imidazole (THI) and 4-methylimidazole (4-MEI) in Belgium.
July 2018, Food chemistry,
Copied contents to your clipboard!