Modulatory effects of chitosan adipate on the T and B lymphocyte subsets in mice

This study examined the subsets of T lymphocytes in the thymus, spleen and mesenteric lymph nodes as well as the subsets of B lymphocytes in the spleen and mesenteric lymph nodes in mice administered chitosan adipate (20 mg/kg) intraperitoneally once or four times at 24 h intervals. The results showed that chitosan adipate decreased the percentage of immature CD4(+)CD8(+) thymic T cells and increased the percentage of mature CD4(+) and CD8(+) thymocytes. The most significant stimulating effect was observed after four injections. A single exposure to chitosan adipate increased the percentage of CD4(+) mesenteric lymph node cells, but four injections of the drug increased the percentage of CD4(+) and CD8(+) mesenteric lymph node cells. Chitosan adipate had no effect on the subset of splenic T cells. In contrast, chitosan adipate administered either once or four times increased the percentage of CD19(+) splenocytes but had no effect on the percentage of CD19(+) mesenteric lymph node cells. Overall, chitosan adipate induces the maturation and differentiation of thymocytes, and regulates the number of B splenic cells and lymph node T cells irrespective of the number of doses.