Effects of occupational lead and cadmium exposure on some immunoregulatory cytokine levels in man

Yucesoy B., Turhan A., Ure M., Imir T., Karakaya A.

TOXICOLOGY, vol.123, no.1-2, pp.143-147, 1997 (SCI-Expanded) identifier identifier identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 123 Issue: 1-2
  • Publication Date: 1997
  • Doi Number: 10.1016/s0300-483x(97)00107-8
  • Journal Name: TOXICOLOGY
  • Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus
  • Page Numbers: pp.143-147
  • Keywords: lead, cadmium, cytokine, immune system, CELLULAR IMMUNE FUNCTION, WORKERS, CELLS, BLOOD, LYMPHOCYTES, INVITRO
  • Ankara University Affiliated: No

Abstract

The levels of serum interleukin-1 beta (IL-1 beta), interleukin-2 (IL-2), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) and gamma-interferon (gamma-IFN) were assessed in the workers who were occupationally exposed to lead and cadmium. The a values were compared with the age-matched control group. Blood lead and cadmium levels were significantly raised. Our findings suggest that chronic lead and cadmium exposure in humans resulted in significant suppression of the serum IL-1 beta level, but did not alter IL-2 and TNF-alpha levels. The gamma-IFN level was also reduced in lead workers. In contrast, a significant enhancement was observed in the cadmium-exposed group. We conclude from these results that lead and cadmium exposure at chronically high level may affect some cytokine levels in humans. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd.