[Effect of lead and cadmium on the viability and phagocytosis of human polymorphonuclear leukocytes].

Studies were performed to test the effects of lead and cadmium on viability and phagocytic activity of human polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNL) in vitro. Viability was tested by dye exclusion test and leakage of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), the phagocytic activity was assessed by counting of ingested yeasts (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) in 100 PMNL. It was demonstrated that the viability of human PMNL was only slightly decreased following 20 h incubation with the metals. This finding is in contrast to findings of studies with macrophages of rodents when viability was rather decreased especially by cadmium. However, both metals were found to markedly suppress phagocytic activity of human PMNL already following 30 min of preincubation with the metal salts. Thus, independent of effects on cell viability the defense mechanisms of human PMNL against infectious agents are markedly reduced in presence of lead or cadmium.