Effects of aluminum trichloride on the trace elements and cytokines in the spleen of rats.
The bioaccumulation and immunotoxicity of aluminum (Al) have been previously documented. Al accumulates in the organs of the organism, including spleen. Spleen is a peripheral organ of the immune system. The accumulated Al may alter the immune function. Here, we investigated the bioaccumulation of Al in spleen and its alterations in the immune system. Forty male Wistar rats (5 weeks old) weighed 110-120 g were orally exposed to aluminum trichloride (AlCl(3)) (0, 64.18, 128.36 and 256.72 mg/kg body weight) in drinking water for 120 days. The concentrations of spleen's Al, iron (Fe), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), interleukin-2 (IL-2), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and growth index were examined at the end of the experiment. The results showed that the concentrations of Al and Cu in the spleen were increased in an AlCl(3)-dose dependent manner, and the concentrations of spleen's growth index, Fe, Zn, IL-2 and TNF-α were reduced in AlCl(3)-treated rats. The results suggest that AlCl(3) can suppress the growth of spleen, disorder the balance of trace elements and inhibit the immune regulation of cytokines in the spleen. It indicates that AlCl(3) suppresses the immune function of spleen.
Institute of Special Economic Animal and Plant Science, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, State Key Laboratory of Special Economic Animal Molecular Biology, Jilin 132109, PR China.
Yanzhu
Y
Zhu
Xinwei
X
Li
Chongxiao
C
Chen
Fan
F
Wang
Jing
J
Li
Chongwei
C
Hu
Yanfei
Y
Li
Liguang
L
Miao
D000077410:Aluminum Chloride; D017607:Aluminum Compounds / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000818:Animals; D001835:Body Weight / Q000187:drug effects; D002712:Chlorides / Q000494:pharmacology*; D007376:Interleukin-2 / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D013154:Spleen / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D014131:Trace Elements / Q000378:metabolism*; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000378:metabolism*
D017607:Aluminum Compounds; D002712:Chlorides; D007376:Interleukin-2; D014131:Trace Elements; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D000077410:Aluminum Chloride