title: Inhibition of luminol-dependent chemiluminescence of human granulocytes by low doses of inorganic mercury.
abstract: HgCl2, added in vitro to human granulocytes in whole blood, caused a marked inhibitory effect on the luminol-dependent chemiluminescence induced by BaSO4 crystals in suspension of these cells. The effect was both dose- and time-dependent when BaSO4 was used to stimulate the oxidative burst in granulocytes. Incubation with the highest concentration of HgCl2 used (10 mmol/L), however, did not cause disruption of the membranes of granulocytes. The effect of HgCl2 on the granulocytes was irreversible following washing of the HgCl2-treated cells with phosphate buffered saline. HgCl2 did not affect chemiluminescence produced when luminol was excited by oxidative hydrogen peroxide in a cell-free medium. These results suggest that some of the toxicity of HgCl2 may be greater than mediated by an action on the phagocytic immune system.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiology, College of Medicine, University of Basra, Basra, Iraq.
authors.forename: A H
authors.initials: AH
authors.lastname: al-Hashimi
authors.forename: F H
authors.initials: FH
authors.lastname: Mohammad
authors.forename: E A
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: al-Krawi
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001466:Barium Sulfate / Q000494:pharmacology; D003470:Culture Media; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004353:Drug Evaluation, Preclinical; D006098:Granulocytes / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D006861:Hydrogen Peroxide / Q000494:pharmacology; D007202:Indicators and Reagents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008163:Luminescent Measurements; D008165:Luminol / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008628:Mercury / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000276:immunology; D016877:Oxidants / Q000494:pharmacology; D010084:Oxidation-Reduction; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D003470:Culture Media; D007202:Indicators and Reagents; D016877:Oxidants; D001466:Barium Sulfate; D008165:Luminol; D006861:Hydrogen Peroxide; D008628:Mercury