[Effect of the antioxidant, 4-methyl-2,6 di-tert-butylphenol on the mitotic division of epithelial cells of the small-intestinal crypts of mice depending on the degree of differentiation].

Antioxidants increase the number of mitoses in epithelial cell populations being on differentiation, examined from various parts of small intestinal crypts of mice. 2 hours after antioxidant injection a considerable increase in mitotic index (MI) is found, with maximal value (by 3 times) seen for cells from higher crypt region where more differentiated cells occur. The increase of MI is observed also in later period, 14, 21--24 hours after antioxidant administration.