ABSTRACT
The aim of the present study was to evaluate the possible immunomodulatory effects of dimethy1-4,4-dimethoxy-5,6,5',6'-dimethylene dioxy biphenyl-2,2'-dicarboxylate [DDB] through basic immunological parameters. To achieve this goal, mice were daily treated for either one or four weeks with two dose levels, 6 or 60 mg/kg. The following results were obtained: the body weight and relative weights of liver and spleen were not affected while, the relative thymus weight showed transient increase following administration of the lower dose for one week. Administration of DDB has also resulted in significant increase in the efficiency of phagocytosis and serum level of immunoglobulins. This increase was not affected by alteration of dose level and duration of administration in case of phagocytosis and IgG while IgM was slightly affected. The total leukocytic count showed a dose-dependent increase following the four week administration. Administration of DDB for one week resulted in slight changes in the differential leukocytic count, which were disappeared in the four week regimen. The count of bone marrow lymphocytes was decreased by administration of the lower dose for one week and increased by administration of both doses for four weeks. On the offer hand, the viability of these cells was increased only by administration of the higher dose for four weeks. Exposure to DDB in presence of experimentally induced acute bacterial hepatic injury was found to elicit significant protection against the infection-caused body weight loss and the rise in serum IgG and ALT levels. The obtained results show that DDB has a clear immunomodulatory potential