RESUMEN
Studies on the influence of high heavy metal concentrations (Pb and Cd) on the immune status of experimental animals were carried out. The experiments were performed with Balb/c mice and Pb and Cd concentrations 30- and 50-fold above the limit admissible concentrations (LAC), respectively. A slight increase in the phagocytic activity after 5 days of treatment with high doses of the heavy metals (HM) and its significant activation on the 30th day for both concentrations were observed. Low doses of the HM cause significant increase in the spontaneous production of H2O2 on the 30th day of the experiment. The production of H2O2 by stimulation with PMA macrophages was also activated on the 30th day but to a lower degree and only with the high doses of the HM. Inhibition of the alternative pathway of complement activation was observed in animals treated with low and high doses of the HM for 90 days.