Modulation of the adherence of human polymorphonuclear leukocytes by cadmium and nickel: sexual differences.

The effect of cadmium (xenobiotic element) and nickel (ultra-trace bioelement) on the adherence to plastic of peripheral polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs) from male (M-PMNs) and female (F-PMNs) donors was analyzed. Exposure of PMNs to either metal stimulated adherence, mainly the early adherence (8 min). A sex influence on the adherence was observed. Up to 45 min of incubation, M-PMNs adhered more than F-PMNs. This sexual dimorphism also took place in the case of metal stimulation. Cadmium and nickel enhanced early spontaneous adherence of cells from either sex, but only the late adherence (25 min) of F-PMNs. The adherence stimulation was generally greater in F-PMNs, but M-PMNs achieved higher adherence levels. Nickel was more effective than cadmium in enhancing the adherence, especially the early adherence of F-PMNs.