Abstract
Abstract The bacteriocidal effects of silver mixtures are well characterized and as a consequence they are used worldwide in many food contact substances. However, the long-term effect of silver ion exposure on the developing immune system has not been well studied. In this study, 50 d old male and female rats were exposed to 0.4, 4 or 40 mg/Kg body weight silver acetate (AgAc) in drinking water for 10 wk prior to mating and during the 3 week mating period. Sperm positive females remained within their dose groups and were exposed to AgAc during gestation and lactation. Splenic and thymic lymphocyte subsets from postnatal (PN) 4 and 25 d old pups were assessed by flow cytometry for changes in immune biomarker profile. Functional indices included natural killer (NK) activity and mitogen-induced lymphocyte proliferation. Spleens from PN 4 d pups had lower percentages of CD8+ lymphocytes in 4 and 40 AgAc groups; lower CD3 in 40 AgAc group, and reduced Con A response in all 3 AgAc groups. In PN 25 d pups, splenocytes from 40 mg AgAc fed rats had a higher B cell population. However, Con A and LPS mediated lymphocytic responses were significantly reduced in this group. Further, splenic NK activity was higher in PN 25 d old pups exposed to 0.4 AgAc diet. In conclusion, maternal exposure to AgAc had a significant impact on rat immune system development especially in the early lactation period.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
