RESUMEN
The effects of occupational exposure to ethylene-bis-dithiocarbamate of manganese and zinc on the immune system were evaluated in a group of mancozeb-exposed manufacturers and controls. The immune system tests revealed the following: (a) lymphocyte proliferative responses triggered by different activators and mitogen-induced IL-2 production were higher in exposed subjects than in controls; (b) production of monocyte/macrophage-derived IL-1 and polyclonal IgG and IgM, by beta-lymphocytes, did not differ between exposed subjects and controls; (c) percentages and absolute numbers of total T-cells, T-helper cells, T-suppressor/cytotoxic cells, activated T-cells, total beta-cells, and natural killer cells were similar in exposed subjects and controls; (d) serum immunoglobulin classes and complement fractions were within the range of normality; and (e) rheumatoid factor and non-organ-specific serum autoantibodies were absent in exposed and control subjects. An increase in T-cell functional response was found in the exposed group, suggesting a slight immunomodulator effect of mancozeb in conditions of low-level, prolonged occupational exposure.
Asunto(s)
Fungicidas Industriales/inmunología , Linfocitos/efectos de los fármacos , Maneb/inmunología , Exposición Profesional , Zineb/inmunología , Contaminantes Ocupacionales del Aire/análisis , Disulfuro de Carbono/sangre , Disulfuro de Carbono/orina , Humanos , Inmunoglobulinas/biosíntesis , Inmunoglobulinas/sangre , Subgrupos Linfocitarios/efectos de los fármacos , Masculino , Maneb/análisis , Zineb/análisisRESUMEN
The author treated guinea pigs with a combination of three pesticides: First group -- with cyneb in a dose of 12,5 mg/kg of body weight (threshold value) +/- sevine in a dose of Ip 5 mg/kg (twice threshold value) +/- tribufon in a dose of 5.0 mg/kg (threshold value); second group -- cyneb 125 mg/kg (ten times of threshold value) +/- sevine 1.5 mg/kg (twice the threshold value) +/- tribufon 5.0 mg/kg (threshold value). Two groups of animals were used as controls: first group-- treated with 2,0 mg/kg of cyclophosphamide and second group -- with 3% of starch emulsion, with which other substances were given. The indicated substances were administered in the animals by a probe (a catheter) daily, in the morning before feeding, for a period of six months. Then sensibilization was made by ovalbumin in a solution of 10 gm% according the scheme: first injection of 2 ml of ovalbumin -- 1 ml subcutaneously in the inguinal region and 1 ml intraperitonealy. A challenging dose of 2 ml was administered inraperitonealy after 20 days and the reaction of the experimental animals was examined for a period of 90 minutes after the administration of the challenging dose. There was no difference in the reaction of the guinea pigs, treated with a combination of three pesticides in comparison with animals, given the same pesticides in the same dosage, but singly.