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Effect of lead on the levels of some immunoregulatory cytokines in occupationally exposed workers

Department of Molecular Pathology and Innovative Therapies, Clinic of Occupational Medicine, Polytechnic University of Marche, Ancona, Italy, m.valentino{at}univpm.it

V. Rapisarda

Department of Molecular Pathology and Innovative Therapies, Clinic of Occupational Medicine, Polytechnic University of Marche, Ancona, Italy, Department of Social and Environmental Medicine, Section of Occupational Medicine, University of Messina, Italy

L. Santarelli

Department of Molecular Pathology and Innovative Therapies, Clinic of Occupational Medicine, Polytechnic University of Marche, Ancona, Italy

M. Bracci

Department of Molecular Pathology and Innovative Therapies, Clinic of Occupational Medicine, Polytechnic University of Marche, Ancona, Italy

M. Scorcelletti

Department of Molecular Pathology and Innovative Therapies, Clinic of Occupational Medicine, Polytechnic University of Marche, Ancona, Italy

L. Di Lorenzo

Department of Internal and Public Medicine, Section of Occupational Medicine 'EC Vigliani', University of Bari, Italy

F. Cassano

Department of Internal and Public Medicine, Section of Occupational Medicine 'EC Vigliani', University of Bari, Italy

L. Soleo

Department of Internal and Public Medicine, Section of Occupational Medicine 'EC Vigliani', University of Bari, Italy

Lead (Pb) may affect humoral and cellular immunity, acting on lymphocytes as well as on granulocytes and monocytes. Cytokines and nitric oxide (NO) play a central role in the immune balance. In this study, plasma levels of nitrites and nitrates (NOx), IL2, IL4, IL6, IL10, TNF- and INF-, were measured in healthy workers with very low (Pb-B =3.2 -18.0 µg/dL) and low (Pb-B = 9.1 -46.0 µg/dL) Pb-exposure compared to non-exposed workers. Low Pb-exposed workers (Pb-B =9.1 -46.0 µg/ dL) were found to have significantly higher plasma IL-10 levels, and tendentially higher plasma TNF- levels compared to non-exposed workers. This is the first report of a significant increase of plasma IL-10 levels in Pb-exposed workers. Plasma IL-10 increase was influenced by blood Pb levels even after correction for main confounding factors. No difference was found in plasma NOx levels between Pb-exposed and non-exposed workers, which is in agreement with previous findings exclusively regarding groups in the general population. Low Pb-exposure can induce an increase of pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as TNF-, with a consequent increase of other cytokines, such as IL-10, considered a T cell cross-regulatory factor, suggesting possible interference of Pb in the system of immunophlogosis. Human & Experimental Toxicology (2007) 26, 551 - 556

Key Words: cytokine • IL 10 • lead • NOx • occupational exposure • TNF-

Human & Experimental Toxicology, Vol. 26, No. 7, 551-556 (2007)
DOI: 10.1177/0960327107073817


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