EFFECTS OF OCCUPATIONAL LEAD AND CADMIUM EXPOSURE ON SOME IMMUNOREGULATORY CYTOKINE LEVELS IN MAN

The levels of serum interleukin-1 beta (IL-1 beta), interleukin-2 (IL- 2), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) and gamma-interferon (gamm a-IFN) were assessed in the workers who were occupationally exposed to lead and cadmium. The a values were compared with the age-matched con trol group. Blood lead and cadmium levels were significantly raised. O ur findings suggest that chronic lead and cadmium exposure in humans r esulted in significant suppression of the serum IL-1 beta level, but d id not alter IL-2 and TNF-alpha levels. The gamma-IFN level was also r educed in lead workers. In contrast, a significant enhancement was obs erved in the cadmium-exposed group. We conclude from these results tha t lead and cadmium exposure at chronically high level may affect some cytokine levels in humans. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd.