[Pathological changes induced by environmental chemical pollutants in tissues of the locomotor system]

The most widespread contaminants that accumulate in the environment due to the activity of man are mercury, lead, phenol and sulphur compounds. They have a harmful effect on the body and to an even greater extent on its progeny. A study was made of structural and functional changes in supporting (hyaline cartilage, bone) and hemopoietic (bone marrow) tissues under conditions of lead and phenol poisoning of albino rats and guinea pigs. The methods applied were histochemistry, historadiography, and electron microscopy. It has been established that lead can be accumulated by tissues (particularly by cartilage and bone), inducing disorders of plastic and energy metabolism in the cell. This is attended by the growth delay, osteoporosis and inhibition of normal and reparative osteogenesis. The toxic effect of phenol on the cells manifests by inhibition of the enzymic activity; there is evidence of disturbance of oxidative phosphorylation and of the mechanisms of specific biosynthesis and energy metabolism in the cells. Under conditions of phenol intoxication the chondrocytes and osteoblasts show disorders in the biosynthesis of collagen and sulphated glycosaminoglycans with an evident disproportion of their macromolecules in the cartilage and bone matrix.