Oral Intake of Semi-refined Carrageenan by Rats Affects Apoptosis of Lymphocytes

Introduction: the safety of generally recognized as safe food additives e407 and e407a is under rigorous debate. our research aimed to evaluate the effects of the orally administered e407a (semi-refined carrageenan) on the viability of lymphocytes and their cell death modes. methods: in total, 16 adult wag rats were divided into two equal groups (experimental – oral intake of 140 mg/kg of e407a for two weeks; control – oral consumption of drinking water instead). blood samples were used to obtain leukocyte suspensions stained with annexin v-fitc and 7-aminoactinomycin d (7-aad). the region of lymphocytes was analyzed after collecting data using a bd facscanto™ ii flow cytometer. results: oral administration of e407a led to a decrease in the number of viable (annexin v-, 7-aad-) circulating lymphocytes. furthermore, exposure to semi-refined carrageenan resulted in an elevated number of early apoptotic (annexin v+, 7-aad-) lymphocytes; their percentage was approximately four times higher in rats exposed to e407a compared with the control group. conclusion: our findings indicate that dietary intake of e407a promotes apoptosis of circulating lymphocytes.