[Effect of lead, zinc and cadmium on the cytotoxic action of human polymorphonuclear leukocytes on yeast cells].

In earlier studies we observed that the metal ions of lead, zinc and cadmium remarkably inhibited the phagocytic capacity of human polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNL). The generation of toxic oxygen species, however, was increased by the same heavy metals. In the study presented now we tested the effects of human PMNL on surrounding yeast cells when their microbicidal activities were altered in the presence of the above mentioned metals ions. It was shown that each of the metal salts increased the number of yeast cells killed by the PMNL despite the reduced phagocytic capacity. So we assume an increased cytotoxic effect of PMNL in the presence of the heavy metals.