IMMUNOMODULATIVE EFFECTS OF AFLATOXINS AND SELENIUM ON HUMAN PERIPHERAL-BLOOD LYMPHOCYTES

We investigated the antagonist immunomodulative properties of aflatoxi n B-1 and selenium on human peripheral blood lymphocytes by 2 calorime tric in vitro cytotoxicity assays, the neutral red uptake and the thia zolyl blue tetrazolium bromide assay. immunotoxic properties of these substances were determined by a (H-3)-thymidine DNA incorporation assa y an phytohemagglutinin (PHA) stimulated and non-stimulated lymphocyte s. Aflatoxin BI and selenium, when studied separately, had an immunosu ppressive effect on PHA stimulated and non-stimulated human peripheral blood lymphocytes. When they were studied together, they had an antag onistic effect on this immunological parameter.