Abstract
Summary
Ip injections of complete or incomplete Freund's adjuvant caused an elevation in blood amylase and a reduction in fecal trypsin levels in three inbred strains of mice; they were without effect in two inbred strains. Hematocrits were significantly reduced in all the strains so treated. Injections ip of Bacillus-Calmette-Guerin alone were without effect. Administration sc of the adjuvants was without effect. Alterations were most marked in two congenic strains and persisted for at least 6 weeks after treatment. Peritoneal organs of the mice given adjuvant were encapsulated in a heavy fibrotic layer of tissue. Histologically, in all strains the pancreas was edematous and hyperemic and there was some lobular destruction. The effects of the adjuvants are attributed to direct irritant action of the oil component of the adjuvant on the peritoneal organs. Whether or not amylase and trypsin levels will be altered in consequence appears to be genetically controlled.
We thank Diane Gaudreau and Stephen H. Langley for excellent technical assistance.
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