Effect of toluene on bioamine-containing structures in the spleen

The effect of toluene administered into the stomach on amino-containing structures in the spleen of random-bred albino mice was studied. It was shown by Falck—Hillarp method that 6 h after treatment the toxicant stimulated splenic mast cell population and inhibited other amino-containing structures. It is therefore suggested that in control mice the major role in bioamine metabolism in the spleen is played by granular fluorescent cells, while after poisoning, mast cells functioning as adapters acquire the primary role. The levels of catecholamines and serotonin in nervous and nonnervous structures peaked 1 weekafter poisoning and returned to normal after 4 weeks. Presumably, toluene suppresses the immunity starting from the second week after treatment. Translated fromByulleten' Eksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 130, No. 12, pp. 643–647, December, 2000