Parametros da resposta imunologica em trabalhadores expostos ao mercurio

AUTOR(ES)
DATA DE PUBLICAÇÃO

1994

RESUMO

ln this work the cellular and humoral immune response in mercury exposed workers has been studied. These individuals were assymptomatic and the mercury urinary concentration were below the currently accepted limit of 50ug Hg/ g creatinine. We began our investigations by determining the levels of immunoglobulins( IgA, IgG, IgM and IgE ) in the serum of exposed population. A policlonal increase of these immunoglobulins was observed when compared to the non-exposed population. On the other hand, a reduction in the numbers of B lyrnphocytes was observed in the exposed workers, thus suggesting the mercury may be toxic in the early stages of B cell growth and differentiation. However, mature B lyrnphocytes are overstimulated in their function of immunoglobulins production. A normal range for CD4/ CDS ratio is around 2.0 :t 1.0. Quantitation of these lymphocytes sub-populations in the exposed group demonstrated that the CD4 : CDS cell ratio was lower than 1.Oin 25 individuals. lncubation of lymphocytes with the serum from the exposed workers produced no significant effect on thr lymphoblastic response to phytohaemagglutinin. Auto antibodies anti-DNA and anti-nuclear were not found in the serum of the workers studied. Adverse effects that may occur at relatively low levels of exposed to mercury are of particular interest in relation to preventive action, since these effects can be regarded as a critical piece of information when discussing, for example, exposure lirnits. Our results strengthen further the argument for the elimination of mercury hazard in working places. Furthermore, our studies also indicated that the immune system may provide a sensitive functional indicator of heavy metal and other hernical contarninants present in the environment

ASSUNTO(S)

mercurio - toxicologia saude e trabalho sistema imune

ACESSO AO ARTIGO

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