Immunocompetent organic toxicity

Fig. 4. Inhibitory effect of chitosan on immunocompetent organ toxicity (reduction of spleen weight) induced by S-FU in sarcoma 180-bearing mice.

Gastrointestinal toxicity and myelotoxicity are caused by the 5-FU after its phosphorylation in the digestive tract and bone marrow tissue. To clarify whether chitosan enhances the antitumor activity of 5-FU and prevents the side effects induced by 5-FU, we examined the antitumor activity and side effects, such as myelotoxicity, immunocompetent organ toxicity, and gastrointestinal toxicity of combined treatment with chitosan and 5-FU in sarcoma 180-bearing mice. 

Y. Kimura, and H. Okuda, Prevention by chitosan of myelotoxicity, gastrointestinal toxicity and immunocompetent organic toxicity induced by 5-fluorouracil without loss of antitumor activity in mice, Jpn. J. Cancer Res., 90 (7), 765-774,1999. 

Immunotoxicity. There are currently no in vivo studies in humans or animals that examined immunocompetence following exposure to DEHP by any route of exposure. No histopathological alterations to organs of the lymphoreticular system due to treatment with DEHP were reported by any animal study. DEHP does bind to mononuclear leukocytes in vitro (Sager and Little 1989) but this is not an inherently toxic phenomenon. The overall evidence suggests that the immune system is not a target for DEHP toxicity. Specific studies addressing this issue do not seem necessary at this time. 

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