Voluntary intake of "Tiquira", an alcoholic beverage prepared from fermented manioc, decreases immunoglobulin production and increases immunoglobulin production and increases self-reactivity in mice

ABSTRACT

We studied the effects of chronic voluntary ingestion of "Tiquira" (50%) - an alcoholic beverage prepared from fermented manioc, widely consumed in Maranhäo, on the natural immunological activity of young adult (2-3 months old) C57B1/6J mice (16-17 g) by evaluating the number of plaque-forming cells (PFCs) in the spleen and by titrating serum antibodies by ELISA. Voluntary ingestion of "Tiquira" for 30 days decreased immunoglobulin secretion in serum (Control 1600 ñ 30 vs Experimental 193 ñ 20), caused an impressive reduction in the total number of PFCs in the spleen (Control 482 ñ 22 vs Experimental 58 ñ 3) and increased the proportion of self-reacting antibody molecules in serum (Control 119 ñ 16 vs Experimental 800 ñ 20) and self-reactive PFCs to mouse red blood cells (MRBC) in the spleen (Control 183 ñ 14 vs Experimental 272 ñ 16; N=10 animals per group). These preliminary results suggest that the voluntary ingestion of "Tiquira" for 30 days may interfere with immunological relations by decreasing nthe total number of immunologlobulin secreting cells and increasing the antiself antibody production. Experiments are in progress to determine if ethanol or other substances present in "Tiquira" are responsible for the effects documented here