ABSTRACT
Research was conducted to examine the hematological effects of heavy metals (platinum (Pt ((IV))), palladium (Pd ((II))), rhodium (Rh ((III))), antimony (Sb ((III)) and Sb ((V))), and silver nanoparticles (AgNPs)) on white blood cells in mammalian (rat) and avian (chick embryo) models. These metals are used in many everyday products and are accumulating in our environment. Six-week old Sprague-Dawley female rats were treated daily by gavage and six-day old, fertile, specific pathogen-free white leghorn strain chick embryos' eggs were injected on days 7 and 14 of incubation with 0.0, 1.0, 5.0 or 10.0 ppm concentrations of Pt ((IV)) and a platinum group metal (PGM) mix of Pt ((IV)), Pd ((II)) and Rh ((III)). Chick embryos were also tested with 1.0 or 5.0 ppm of antimony compounds (Sb ((III)) and Sb ((V))) and 0.0, 15.0, 30.0, 60.0, or 100.0 ppm of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs). After 8 weeks of treatment, blood was obtained from the rats by jugular cut down and from chick embryos on day 20 of incubation by heart puncture. Blood smears were made and stained and a differential white cell count was performed on each. Examination of the smears revealed unconventional dose responses, stimulation of the immune response, and decreases in leukocyte production with various metals and concentrations. Chick embryos responded differently than rats to Pt and the PGM mix; suggesting that species differences and/or stage of development are important components of response to heavy metals. Route of administration of the metals might also influence the response. All of the heavy metals tested affected the immune responses of the tested animals as demonstrated by changes in the types and numbers of leukocytes. Our findings warrant further research to determine the mechanism of these effects and to understand and prevent toxicological effects in humans and other living organisms.
Subject(s)
Leukocytes/drug effects , Metals, Heavy/toxicity , Silver/toxicity , Animals , Antimony/toxicity , Chick Embryo , Dose-Response Relationship, Drug , Female , Leukocyte Count , Leukocytes/immunology , Lymph/drug effects , Lymph/immunology , Metals, Heavy/administration & dosage , Nanoparticles/toxicity , Palladium/toxicity , Platinum , Rats , Rats, Sprague-Dawley , Rhodium/toxicity , Species SpecificityABSTRACT
Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HiT) ranges from an asymptomatic reaction to heparin with a transient mild thrombocytopenia (HIT I) to a life- and limb-threatening immunological reaction, heparin-induced thrombocytopenia with thrombosis (HITT or HIT II). HITT can occur in patients with any heparin exposure and must be recognized and and symptomatic and/or fatal thrombosis. HIT will be discussed using a case study approach.
Subject(s)
Heparin/adverse effects , Thrombocytopenia/chemically induced , Aged , Drug Hypersensitivity/diagnosis , Drug Hypersensitivity/etiology , Heparin/immunology , Humans , Male , Risk Factors , Thrombocytopenia/diagnosis , Venous Thrombosis/chemically induced , Venous Thrombosis/diagnosisABSTRACT
Recent studies show particles of Platinum Group Metals (PGMs); primarily platinum, palladium and rhodium; released from automobile catalytic converters are being deposited alongside roadways. This deposition is leading to increasing concentrations of PGMs in the environment, raising concerns about the environmental impact and toxicity of these elements in living organisms. The objective of this study was to determine how PGMs alter the patterns of growth, development, and physiology by studying the toxicological and genotoxic effects of these metals. Two vastly different species were used as models: plant-a wild wetland common Sphagnum moss, and animal-6-week old rats Sprague-Dawley. Both species were exposed, in controlled environments, to different concentrations of the PGMs. Toxicological and genotoxic effects were determined by assessment of plant growth, animal survival and pathology, and influence on DNA in both models. Our results on the uptake of PGMs by Sphagnum showed significant decreases in plant length and biomass as PGM concentration increased. Histological and pathological analysis of the animal model revealed vacuolization, eosinophil inclusion bodies in adrenal glands, shrinkage of glomeruli in the kidney, and enlargement of white pulp in the spleen. In both models, DNA damage was detected. Chemical analysis using ICP-AES atomic absorption demonstrated accumulation of PGMs in plant tissues at all PGM levels, proportional to concentration.
