DESIGNING AN ARTIFICIAL ECOLOGICAL MESOCOSM FOR THE STUDY OF CD AND PB IMPACT ON THE IMMUNE-SYSTEM OF EXPERIMENTAL-ANIMALS

Studies on the influence of high heavy metal concentrations (Pb and Cd ) on the immune status of experimental animals were carried out. The e xperiments were performed with Balb/c mice and Pb and Cd concentration s 30- and 50-fold above the limit admissible concentrations (LAG), res pectively. A slight increase in the phagocytic activity after 5 days o f treatment with high doses of the heavy metals (HM) and its significa nt activation on the 30th day for both concentrations were observed. L ow doses of the HM cause significant increase in the spontaneous produ ction of H2O2 on the 30th day of the experiment. The production of H2O 2 by stimulation with PMA macrophages was also activated on the 30th d ay but to a lower degree and only with the high doses of the HM. Inhib ition of the alternative pathway of complement activation was observed in animals treated with low and high doses of the HM for 90 days.