In vitro toxicity and interactions of environmental contaminants (Arochlor 1254 and mercury) and immunomodulatory agents (lipopolysaccharide and cortisol) on thymocytes from lake trout (Salvelinus namaycush).
The immunotoxicity of chemical combinations commonly encountered by the lake trout (Salvelinus namaycush) immune system was the focus of this study. It was hypothesised that combinations of an environmental contaminant (mercuric chloride or Aroclor 1254) and an immunomodulatory agent (bacterial endotoxin or cortisol) might interact to produce a greater toxicity than that of the environmental contaminant alone at concentrations typically encountered in piscine blood and other tissues. Thus lake trout thymocytes were isolated and treated with mercuric chloride or Aroclor 1254 in the presence and absence of cortisol or lipopolysaccharide. Incubations were performed for 6 or 20 h at 4 degrees C or 10 degrees C. Lipopolysaccharide did not affect the toxicity of either contaminant. In contrast, cortisol enhanced the toxicity of both environmental contaminants. Hence, stressors that lead to increased cortisol production, but not lipopolysaccharide directly, may increase the toxicity of mercury and Aroclor 1254 to lake trout thymocytes.
Department of Environmental Health Science, School of Public Health, The University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA.
Gregory G
GG
Miller
Leonard I
LI
Sweet
Jean V
JV
Adams
Geneva M
GM
Omann
Dora R
DR
Passino-Reader
Peter G
PG
Meier
D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic / Q000633:toxicity*; D000818:Animals; D013956:Antithyroid Agents / Q000633:toxicity; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000187:drug effects; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D020111:Chlorodiphenyl (54% Chlorine) / Q000633:toxicity*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004357:Drug Synergism; D004781:Environmental Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects; D004785:Environmental Pollutants / Q000633:toxicity*; D005434:Flow Cytometry / Q000662:veterinary; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000633:toxicity; D007107:Immune System / Q000187:drug effects; D008070:Lipopolysaccharides / Q000633:toxicity; D008627:Mercuric Chloride / Q000633:toxicity*; D013696:Temperature; D013950:Thymus Gland / Q000166:cytology* / Q000187:drug effects; D013997:Time Factors; D014337:Trout / Q000276:immunology*
D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic; D013956:Antithyroid Agents; D004785:Environmental Pollutants; D008070:Lipopolysaccharides; D020111:Chlorodiphenyl (54% Chlorine); D008627:Mercuric Chloride; D006854:Hydrocortisone