THYMOTROPHIC EFFECT OF ETHER LIPID OCTADECYL-2-O-METHOXY-RAC-GLICERO-3-PHOSPHOCHOLINE IN THE MOUSE

octadecyl-2-O-methoxy-rac-glicero-3-phosphocholine (ET-18-OCH3) is a s ynthetic derivate of 2-lysophosphatidylcholine, endowed with some immu nomodulatory and anticancer effects. In the present work we report tha t a chronic (1 mu g/g b.w. for 2 weeks) or acute single dose injection of ET-18-OCH3 produced a recovery of thymus weight and thymocytes cel lularity in two different strains of mice, C57BL6 and Swiss mice, unde rgoing thymus age-dependent involution. This effect was significant wh en the thymus weight was reduced at 50% and it was without effect on t hymus lacking age dependent involution, such as young mice. The abilit y of ET-18-OCH3 to produce thymus weight and thymocyte cellularity rec overy was also demonstrated in adult mice showing hypotrophy of thymus induced by chronic corticosterone treatment, suggesting that this com pound could be effective against thymus hypotrophy induced by external stimuli. This thymotrophic effect of ET-18-OCH3 was not dependent on direct action on thymocyte proliferation, but probably it was dependen t on its action on thymic epithelial cells to produce hormone thymulin , which level was found significantly increased in the plasma. These r esults provide further immunomodulatory propriety of ET-18-OCH3 and op en the possibility to use this compound to counteract thymus hypotroph y. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science B.V.