The relationship between cadmium-induced inhibition of splenic lymphocyte function and cell apoptosis
Feng, F.; Xue, B.; Zhang, X.
Zhonghua Yu Fang Yi Xue Za Zhi 35(1): 44-47
2001
ISSN/ISBN: 0253-9624 PMID: 11860960 Document Number: 536522
To explore the relationship between cadmium-induced inhibition of splenic lymphocyte function and cell apoptosis in vitro. The splenic lymphocytes of mice were exposed to 3.10, 6.25, 12.50, 25.00, 50.00 micromol/L of cadmiun chloride (CdCl(2)) for various time period, to measure the lymphocyte transformation by MTT colorimetric assay and to detect the apoptosis in splenocytes by DNA agarose electrophoresis and flow cytometry (FACS). CdCl(2) could significantly inhibit the function of lymphocyte transformation in a dose-response pattern at concentrations of 25.00 and 50.00 micromol/L, with inhibition rates of 50% and 78% in ConA-stimulating group and 39% and 55% in LPS-stimulating group, respectively. CdCl(2) could also induce apoptosis of splenic cells at concentrations of 12.50 to 50.00 micromol/L. of FACS analysis showed 30% - 60% of cell apoptosis. Higher concentration of CdCl(2) could also cause reduction of cell survival. Effect of Cd-induced apoptosis was earlier and at a lower concentration of CdCl(2) than that of Cd-induced inhibition of lymphocyte transformation. CdCl(2) could induce cell apoptosis in vitro, which was one of the mechanisms of its suppression of lymphocyte function.