Changes in T lymphocyte subsets and plasma Th1/Th2 cytokine levels in patients with occupational chronic lead poisoning / 中华劳动卫生职业病杂志

ABSTRACT

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the changes in T lymphocyte subsets and plasma Th1/Th2 cytokine levels in patients with occupational chronic lead poisoning.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Flow cytometric analysis was used to count the numbers of CD3+, CD4+, CD8+ cells and cytometric bead array CBA capture technique was used to quantify plasma IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, TNF-alpha, IFN-gamma concentrations. Twenty-three patients with occupational chronic lead poisoning and 20 controls were examined.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Compared with control group, CD3+ CD4+ lymphocytes and CD4/CD8 ratios decreased in patients with occupational chronic lead poisoning. The plasma IL-2 level were significantly raised while the IL-10 and IFN-gamma were reduced in patients with occupational chronic lead poisoning.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>T lymphocyte subsets and plasma Th1/Th2 cytokine levels could be a new parameter to assess lead immunotoxicity.</p>