Immunotoxicity, of organotins

Immunotoxicity of organotin compounds is not mediated by stress-induced release of glucocorticoids, since adrenalectomy did not prevent development of thymus atrophy (Seinen Willems, 1976). Also, adrenal weights were unaffected in these studies. 

Penninks AH, Seinen W (1983) Immunotoxicity of organotin compounds. In Gibson GG, Hubbard R, Parke DV, eds. Immunotoxicology. London, Academic Press. 

Arakawa Y, Wada 0. 1986. Immunotoxicity of organotin compounds. Igaku no Ayumi 136 177-181 [Japanese],... 

The histopathological examination of the human thymus grafts of SCID-hu mice (SCID mice engrafted with human fetal thymus) exposed to dibutyltin dichloride 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 immunotoxic action of organotins. ... 

The importance of organotins as environmental endocrine disrupters and their potential to adversely affect human health, has prompted the European Commission to identify tributyltin (TBT) as a priority hazardous substance. Organotin compounds are widely employed as stabilizers of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) polymers, and as industrial catalysts for polyurethane and silicone elastomers. Hence, they are present in water pipes, food packing materials, polyurethane foams and many other consumer products. The prominent toxicological feature of the organotins is their immunotoxicity, and the effect produced by di- and trialkyltins as well as triphenyltins. 

The higher molecular weight organotin(IV)s, such as TBT and TFT, are known to be immunotoxic and to cause renal and hepatic damage. TBT at environmentally relevant concentrations increases intracellular concentration of Ca(II) ([Ca(II)],) in murine thymocytes by increasing membrane Ca(II) permeability and... 

Organotin derivatives exhibit genotoxic, neurotoxic, immunotoxic and hepatotoxic effects. It is important to study the genotoxicity of tin compounds, as they have the... 

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