Abstract: OBJECTIVE:To explore the effects of 2-acetyl-4-hydroxy-butylimidazole(THI) on cellular immune functions in mice. METHODS:BALB/c female mice were exposed to THI for 7 and 30 days. The doses were 0,0.5,2.5,12.5 mg/kg and 0,0.2,0.5,2.5 mg/kg,respectively. After the end of the exposure,peripheral blood leukocyte differential count,T cell proliferation function test and NK cell activity test were performed. Flow cytometry was used to detect T cell number and lymphocyte subset changes in thymus and spleen. Transwell chamber method was used to detect T cell chemotaxis. RESULTS:The results show that after exposure for 7 days,the number of peripheral blood leukocytes was decreased,the numbers of CD4⁺ T cells and CD8⁺ T cells were increased,the NK cell activity was decreased,and the T cell chemotactic function was impaired in the 2.5 and 12.5 mg/kg dose groups. The number of peripheral blood lymphocytes was decreased,the number of thymic T cells was increased,and the T cell proliferation function was decreased in the 12.5 mg/kg dose group. After exposure for 30 days,the number of peripheral blood leukocytes was decreased,the number of thymic T cell was decreased,the T cell proliferation function was decreased,the NK cell activity was decreased and the T cell chemotactic function was impaired in the 0.5 and 2.5 mg/kg dose groups. CONCLUSION:THI inhibited cellular immune function in BALB/c female mice,and caused lymphopenia in the blood. These effects also showed dose and time response relationships.

Key words: 2-acetyl-4-hydroxy-butylimidazole, cellular immunity, lymphopenia, mouse