title: Systemic effects of ingested nickel on the immune system of nickel sensitised women.
abstract: This study evaluates the immune response to ingestion of 10 mg of nickel (Ni) (as Ni sulphate) in 19 young non-atopic Ni-sensitised or 9 non-allergic women (group A). After Ni ingestion at 8 a.m, non-allergic and 12 Ni-sensitised women (group B) were non-symptomatic, while 7 Ni-sensitised women (group C) showed a flare up of urticaria and/or eczema. Serum and urine Ni were greatly lower before Ni administration than after 4 and 24 hours, without difference among the 3 groups. Before treatment, group B and C showed higher values of blood CD19+ and CD5--CD19+ cells than group A, while group C showed higher serum interleukin (IL) 2 and lower serum IL-5. Four hours after Ni ingestion, group C showed significant increase in serum IL-5. Twenty-four hours after treatment, group A showed a significant reduction in blood CD4+-CD45RO- "virgin" cells and an increase of CD8+ lymphocytes, while group C showed a marked decrease in total blood lymphocytes and CD3+, CD4+-CD45RO-, CD4+-CD45RO+, CD8+, CD19+ and CD5--CD19+ cell subsets. These data may be explained with migration of lymphocytes in tissues with a Th0-like immune response, as shown by the elevated serum IL-2 and the increase of serum IL-5 during the test.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine and Sciences of Aging, Centre of Occupational Medicine and Ergophthalmology, University G. D'Annunzio, Chieti, Italy.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Boscolo
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Andreassi
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Sabbioni
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Reale
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Conti
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Amerio
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Di Gioacchino
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006967:Hypersensitivity / Q000209:etiology*; D007107:Immune System / Q000187:drug effects*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009532:Nickel / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000633:toxicity*
chemical_list: D009532:Nickel