Cadmium an inhibitor of lymphocyte transformation and stimulator of antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity (ADCC) in rats: the role of zinc.

The effect of zinc (Zn) on the immunomodulatory properties of cadmium (Cd) was investigated in male Wistar rats. Animals were orally exposed to Cd and or Zn, by stomach tubing for 7 weeks. Response of splenocytes to phytohemagglutinin (PHA) and concanavalin A (Con A), was significantly increased by Zn. When exposed in combination with Cd, Zn restored the inhibitory effects of Cd on lymphocyte transformation. However, Cd significantly increased the antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxic (ADCC) activity of the splenocytes on chicken red blood cells (CRBC). Zn had no effect on ADCC, nor did it modify the ADCC changes mediated by Cd.