title: A nonimmunomodulatory effect of chronic cadmium exposure on lymphocyte transformation response in rhesus monkeys (Macaca mulatta).
abstract: The immunomodulatory effects of cadmium, an environmental pollutant, were assessed in male rhesus monkeys orally exposed to 5 mg cadmium/kg body weight for a period of 4 months. A lymphocyte transformation test was carried out in peripheral blood lymphocytes using different concentrations of phytohemagglutinin (PHA), concanavalin A (Con A) and pokeweed mitogen (PWM). Cadmium exposure of monkeys resulted in a statistically nonsignificant increase in [3H]thymidine incorporation in PHA- and Con-A-stimulated lymphocytes. However, there was a nonsignificant decrease in [3H]thymidine incorporation in PWM-stimulated lymphocytes. These results suggest that cadmium may not have immunosuppressive effects in primates which are phylogenetically close to man.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002104:Cadmium / Q000633:toxicity*; D003208:Concanavalin A / Q000494:pharmacology; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation / Q000187:drug effects*; D008253:Macaca mulatta; D008297:Male; D010835:Phytohemagglutinins / Q000494:pharmacology; D011043:Pokeweed Mitogens / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D010835:Phytohemagglutinins; D011043:Pokeweed Mitogens; D002104:Cadmium; D003208:Concanavalin A