SPLEEN AND THYMUS HISTOLOGY AND PROLIFERATIVE RESPONSE OF SPLENIC CELLS IN RATS FED RAW AND COOKED PHASEOLUS-VULGARIS BEANS

Histological studies of the spleen and thymus of rats fed raw black be ans (Phaseolus vulgaris) show an atrophy of both lymphoid organs. Decr ease in relative thymus weight was most marked. All histological organ ization of this organ appeared altered. An evident decrease in cell nu mber was also observed in both organs. Proliferative response of splen ic cells stimulated in vitro with Concanavalin A was increased as comp ared to that from animals fed the control diet. It is likely that hist ological changes observed in the spleen and the thymus are due mainly to a protein caloric deficiency, although the possibility that toxic f actors present in the raw diet have an effect on the inmune system of the rat can not be overruled.