The effects of some aluminium and zirconium compounds on guinea-pig peritoneal macrophages and skin fibroblasts in culture.

The damaging effects of some industrially important Aluminium and Zirconium compounds on guinea-pig macrophages and skin fibroblasts have been investigated. Cell death was measured by the release of lactate dehydrogenase activity. The haemolytic properties of these compounds has also been investigated. There is a correlation between the ability of these compounds to form granulomas after intradermal injection in the guinea-pig, their toxic effects on macrophages and fibroblasts and their haemolytic properties. A possible mechanism of toxicity of these compounds towards macrophages and fibroblasts is suggested.