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Oral Cadmium Intake Enhances Contact Allergen-induced Skin Reaction in Rats
Dina Tucovic1, Jelena Kulas1, Ivana Mirkov1
1Immunotoxicology Group, Department of Ecology, Institute for Biological Research "Sinisa Stankovic" - National Institute of Republic of Serbia, University of Belgrade, 142 Bulevar despota Stefana, 11060 Belgrade, Serbia.
Biomedical and Environmental Sciences : BES
|November 28, 2022
Summary
Oral cadmium exposure intensifies contact skin allergies in rats by increasing inflammatory responses. This heavy metal exposure impacts both the sensitization and challenge phases of allergic reactions.
Area of Science:
- Toxicology
- Immunology
- Dermatology
Background:
- Cadmium (Cd) is a heavy metal known to affect skin homeostasis, potentially leading to inflammation and injury.
- Oral Cd intake's influence on contact skin allergies requires further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the effect of oral cadmium (Cd) intake on contact skin allergies.
- To investigate Cd's impact on inflammatory responses and immune cell activity in the skin.
Main Methods:
- Male rats were exposed orally to cadmium (Cd) for 30 days.
- A contact hypersensitivity reaction (CHS) was induced using dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB).
- Ear cell populations, cytokine production (IFN-γ, IL-17, TNF), and lymph node cell activity were analyzed using flow cytometry and ELISA.
Main Results:
- Oral Cd (5 ppm) significantly increased CHS intensity in Dark Agouti (DA) rats, enhancing inflammatory responses during sensitization and challenge phases.
- Increased IFN-γ and IL-17 were observed during sensitization, and elevated CD8+, CD4+ cell counts, TNF, IFN-γ, and IL-17 during challenge.
- Albino Oxford (AO) rats showed increased CHS only at a higher Cd dose (50 ppm) during the challenge phase.
Conclusions:
- Oral cadmium exposure intensifies the skin's allergic response to sensitizing chemicals like DNCB.
- Cd affects inflammatory pathways and immune cell populations involved in contact hypersensitivity.
