This Article Full Text (PDF) References Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Add to Saved Citations Download to citation manager Request Permissions Request Reprints Add to My Marked Citations Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Citing Articles via Scopus Google Scholar Articles by Perlingeiro, R. Articles by Queiroz, M. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Perlingeiro, R. Articles by Queiroz, M. Social Bookmarking                         What's this?

Measurement of the respiratory burst and chemotaxis in polymorphonuclear leukocytes from mercury-exposed workers

Department of Pharmacology and Hemocentre, State University of Campinas, UNICAMP, Campinas, SP, Brazil

Mls Queiroz

Department of Pharmacology and Hemocentre, State University of Campinas, UNICAMP, Campinas, SP, Brazil

The chemotactic and nitroblue tetrazolium reducing activ ities of neutrophils from 48 mercury-exposed workers were examined and compared with those of non-exposed, age- and sex-matched individuals. At the time of testing, the exposed population had a mean (± s.d.) urinary mer cury concentration of 24.0 ± 20.1 µg g^-1 creatinine and in 44 of these workers urinary mercury levels were below the accepted threshold level (TLV) of 50 µg g^-1 creatinine.

The two neutrophil functions were significantly reduced in the mercury-exposed workers compared with the con trols. In 28 of these workers, chemotaxis was re-evaluated 6 months later. During the intervening 6 months, the level of hygiene was improved throughout the plant and uri nary mercury concentrations were determined monthly in each worker. Despite a significant reduction in urinary mercury concentrations, neutrophil migration did not return to within the normal range. These results suggest that 'safe' level mercury exposure may lead to impairment of neutrophil function.

Key Words: mercury • neutrophils • respiratory burst • chemo taxis • human exposure

Human & Experimental Toxicology, Vol. 14, No. 3, 281-286 (1995)
DOI: 10.1177/096032719501400308


CiteULike    Complore    Connotea    Del.icio.us    Digg    Reddit    Technorati    Twitter    What's this?

This article has been cited by other articles:

				M Pelletier and D Girard Dieldrin induces human neutrophil superoxide production via protein kinases C and tyrosine kinases Human and Experimental Toxicology, August 1, 2002; 21(8): 415 - 420. [Abstract] [PDF]

				M. Pelletier, C. J. Roberge, M. Gauthier, K. Vandal, P. A. Tessier, and D. Girard Activation of human neutrophils in vitro and dieldrin-induced neutrophilic inflammation in vivo J. Leukoc. Biol., September 1, 2001; 70(3): 367 - 373. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				M Gauthier and D Girard Activation of human neutrophils by chiordane: induction of superoxide production and phagocytosis but not chemotaxis or apoptosis Human and Experimental Toxicology, May 1, 2001; 20(5): 229 - 235. [Abstract] [PDF]

				M. L. de Souza Queiroz, S. C. Pena, T. S. I. Salles, E. M. de Capitani, and S. T. O. Saad Abnormal antioxidant system in erythrocytes of mercury-exposed workers Human and Experimental Toxicology, April 1, 1998; 17(4): 225 - 230. [Abstract] [PDF]

				M. Queiroz, C. Bincoletto, R. Perlingeiro, C. Souza, and H. Toledo Defective neutrophil function in workers occupationally exposed to hexachlorobenzene Human and Experimental Toxicology, June 1, 1997; 16(6): 322 - 326. [Abstract] [PDF]