Thymotrophic effect of ether lipid 1-O-octadecyl-2-O-methoxy-rac-glicero-3-phosphocholine in the mouse.

1-O-octadecyl-2-O-methoxy-rac-glicero-3-phosphocholine (ET-18-OCH3) is a synthetic derivate of 2-lysophosphatidyl-choline, endowed with some immunomodulatory and anticancer effects. In the present work we report that a chronic (1 microgram/g b.w. for 2 weeks) or acute single dose injection of ET-18-OCH3 produced a recovery of thymus weight and thymocytes cellularity in two different strains of mice, C57BL6 and Swiss mice, undergoing thymus age-dependent involution. This effect was significant when the thymus weight was reduced at 50% and it was without effect on thymus lacking age dependent involution, such as young mice. The ability of ET-18-OCH3 to produce thymus weight and thymocyte cellularity recovery was also demonstrated in adult mice showing hypotrophy of thymus induced by chronic corticosterone treatment, suggesting that this compound 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 dependent on its action on thymic epithelial cells to produce hormone thymulin, which level was found significantly increased in the plasma. These results provide further immunomodulatory propriety of ET-18-OCH3 and open the possibility to use this compound to counteract thymus hypotrophy.