Effects of chromium on lymphocyte subsets and immunoglobulins from normal population and exposed workers.
Blood lymphocyte subsets and serum immunoglobulins were studied in 15 men (mean age: 35 years), not exposed to toxic agents, and in 15 healthy men, exposed to dust containing several compounds (including lead chromate), working in a factory producing plastic materials. Worker blood lead and urine chromium (Cr) levels were significantly higher than controls, while serum Cr concentration was unchanged. In the worker blood, CD4+ helper-inducer (mainly CD4+-CD45RO- "virgin"), CD5--CD19+ B, CD3--CD25+ activated B and CD3--HLA-DR+ activated B and natural killer (NK) lymphocytes were significantly reduced (about 30-50 %). The investigated workers were exposed to hexavalent Cr, as lead chromate, whereas normal population (control group) was mainly exposed to trivalent Cr. In the control group, urinary Cr showed a significant positive correlation with CD16+-56+ NK, CD5+-CD19+ B and HLA-DR+ activated T, B and NK lymphocytes and a negative correlation with serum IgA immunoglobulins; moreover, serum Cr was significantly correlated with all blood lymphocytes and HLA-DR+, CD3--HLA--DR+ and CD3--CD25+ lymphocyte subsets. These data suggest that trivalent Cr may be involved in mechanisms regulating the immune response in humans.
Boscolo
P
P
Unit of Clinical Immunology and Allergology, University G. D'Annunzio, Chieti, Italy.
Di Gioacchino
M
M
Bavazzano
P
P
White
M
M
Sabbioni
E
E
D000328:Adult; D002857:Chromium / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000097:blood / Q000652:urine; D006801:Humans; D007107:Immune System / Q000187:drug effects; D007136:Immunoglobulins / Q000097:blood*; D007854:Lead / Q000097:blood; D016131:Lymphocyte Subsets / Q000187:drug effects*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016273:Occupational Exposure
D007136:Immunoglobulins; D002857:Chromium; D007854:Lead