Mitogenic activity of selenoorganic compounds in human peripheral blood leukocytes.

A variety of organoselenium compounds were originally described as antiinflammatory, antioxidant or glutathione-peroxidase-like agents, and as inhibitors of prostaglandin and leukotriene synthesis. Recently, the compounds have also been found to be inducers of interferon gamma and tumor necrosis factor in human peripheral blood leukocytes (PBL). We evaluated the effects of bis [2-(N-phenylcarboxamido)phenyl] diselenide and Ebselen; 2-phenyl-1,2-benzisoselenazol-3(2H)one, on the incorporation of tritiated thymidine into the DNA of PBL cultured in vitro. Both compounds were mitogenic and this effect was correlated with the expression of interleukin 2 receptor in T-lymphocytes. Therefore, we suggest that the selenoorganic compounds may induce mitogenic cytokines.