Effects of occupational exposure to mercury vapors on T-cell and NK-cell populations.

The counts of lymphocytes, (CD3+) T-cells, (CD4+) T-helper and (CD 8+) T-suppressor and (CD 16+) NK-cells were determined in the peripheral blood of 81 males with a history of occupational exposure to metallic mercury vapors and in 36 males without this exposure. For the determination of T-cell populations monoclonal antibodies were used in indirect immunofluorescence tests. The weighted mean of mercury concentrations in air was 0.028 mg x m-3. Mercury concentration in the urine of the exposed subjects ranged from 10-240 micrograms x l-1, and in blood it was from 4-30 micrograms x l-1. Stimulation of the T-cell line was noted as evidenced by increased number of T-cells by 35% in the workers with exposure to mercury vapors below or by 38% in the workers over 10-years, by increased number of T-helper cells by 42% (p < 0.001) in the workers with exposure below or by 60% (p < 0.001) in the workers over 10 years and by increased number of T-suppressor cells by 85% (p < 0.001) in the workers below or by 96% (p < 0.001) in the workers over 10 years exposure. Lower increase of T-helper cells population than T-suppressor cells population was the cause of decreased value of the T-helper/T-suppressor ratio by about 21% (p < 0.01) in the workers with exposure below and over 10 years. No changes were observed in the T-cell populations between workers with up to 10 and those with over 10 years exposure. The quantitative changes of T-helper cells and T-helper/T-suppressor ratio may represent an immunological indicator of exposure to mercury vapors. Presented changes in human T-lymphocytes population associated with occupational exposure to mercury vapors have been proposed to explain the origin of more frequent autoimmunity induced by mercury.

[Usefulness of immunologic and protein determinations for assessment of exposure to mercury]. / Przydatnosc badan immunologicznych i proteinologicznych do oceny skutków narazenia na rtec.

The count of lymphocytes, lymphocytes T (CD 3+), lymphocytes T-helper (CD 4+), T-suppressor (CD 8+) and NK-cells (CD 16+) as well as immunoglobulins A, D, G, M, complements C3c and C4, alpha 1-acid glycoprotein, haptoglobin, ceruloplasmin and transferrin were detected in males exposed to mercury vapours and in males of the control groups. The shift time weight average (TWA) of mercury in ambient air was 0,028 mg x m-3. Mean mercury concentration was from 0 to 240 micrograms x 1(-1) in urine of the study group and from 0-30 micrograms x 1(-1) in blood. Stimulation of lymphocytes system, manifested by an increase number of lymphocytes T, T-helper and T-suppressor in the peripheral blood was observed. Higher increase of T-suppressor cells than T-helper populations was the case of decreased value of the T-helper/T-suppressor ratio by 20.5% (p < 0.05) in workers exposed below 10 or by 21% (p < 0.05) in workers exposed over 10 years. Decrease of immunoglobulin A, G and M concentration in serum of workers exposed to mercury vapours over 20 years was also observed. The concentrations of IgG, C3c, C4 and determined acute phase proteins in serum of exposed subjects did not differ from that in the non-exposed subjects.

Lymphocytes, T and NK cells, in men occupationally exposed to mercury vapours.

Lymphocytes, T-cells (CD3+), T-helper (CD4+) and T-suppressor (CD8+) as well as NK-cells (CD16+) counts were determined in the peripheral blood of 81 males occupationally exposed to metallic mercury vapours and of 36 non-exposed males using monoclonal antibodies in indirect immunofluorescence tests. Mean weighted mercury concentration in air accounted for 0.0028 mg x m-3. Urine mercury concentrations ranged from 0 to 240 micrograms x 1(-1) and concentrations in the blood varied from 0 to 30 micrograms x 1(-1). Stimulation of T-lymphocytes manifested by an increased number of T-cells, T-helper and T-suppressor was observed. Quantitative change in T-cells night be an immunological index of exposure to mercury vapours as indicated by a positive correlation between the exposure duration and the number of these cells.

[Occupational exposure to mercury vapors stimulates T lymphocytes]. / Zawodowa ekspozycja na pary rteci stymuluje limfocyty T.

The number of lymphocytes, lymphocytes T, lymphocytes T helper and suppressor were determined in 55 males exposed to mercury vapours and in 36 males of the control group, using monoclonal antibody and indirect immunofluorescence assay. The shift time weighted average was 0.0028 mg x m-3. Mean mercury concentration was 54 +/- 44 micrograms x l-1 in urine of the study group and 5 +/- 7 micrograms x l-1 in blood. Stimulation of lymphocytes, manifested by an increased number of lymphocytes T helper in the peripheral blood, was observed in men exposed to mercury. The results suggest that autoimmunological reactions may occur in the exposed men.