Immunomodulative effects of aflatoxins and selenium on human natural killer cells
Methenitou, G.; Maravelias, C.; Athanaselis, S.; Dona, A.; Koutselinis, A.
Veterinary and Human Toxicology 43(4): 232-234
2001
ISSN/ISBN: 0145-6296 PMID: 11474740 Document Number: 530985
The possible immunomodulative effects of aflatoxin B1 and selenium (as sodium selenite) at concentrations lower than 5.1-11 M or 0.05 ppb and 10-5 M, respectively, on natural killer (NK) cells from healthy volunteers were evaluated by a 51Cr release natural killer assay. Aflatoxin B1 and selenium separately had an immunosuppressive effect on NK cell activity. When they were studied in combination, they caused a statistically significant increase of the cytotoxic activity of NK cells in the presence of the lowest concentrations of aflatoxin B1 (0.005 ppb) and of sodium selenite (10-8 M).