The effects of zinc on the alveolar macrophage cytotoxicity due to Ni-coal dust.

The possibility of the combined effects on the alveolar macrophage cytotoxicity due to zinc and Ni-coal dust was studied. The parameters in the experiments were cellular ATP level in alveolar macrophage (AM), cellular K+ and Zn++ in AM and the surface morphological changes of AM. The experimental results showed that low zinc can protect the toxicity of Ni-coal dust on AM, and that the protective effects on the toxicity of Ni-coal dust by zinc are dependent on its dosage. The ATP level and K+ content in AM are sensitive indices in reflecting the cytotoxicity and can be used in detecting environmental toxic substances.