[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. The observed effect may be explained by the influence of antioxidants on the reserve pool of cells. However, it does not seem unlikely that the increase of MI after antioxidant injection may be due to the influence of antioxidants on the longevity of individual stages of mitotic cycle. Similar evidence was provided earlier by the authors for the effect of antioxidants on the mitotic division of liver cells of normal mice.