The immunological effects of environmental and/or occupational exposure to S02 in air as polluting gas have been examined in a group of 21 exposed men. The determination of S02 concentrations in ambient air in the work enviroment as well as in ambient air in residential areas of these men was performed, always using Amaya-Sugiura passive sampling and ion spectrophotometry. Mean concentration of S02 in ambient air in residential areas was 0.5792 mg • m-3 ± 0.2871 (0.22 to 1.52). Mean concentration of S02 in ambient air in the work enviroment was 2.2612 ± 2.1477 mg • m-3 (0.47 to 9.57). For the determination of T-cells and (CD19+)B-cell populations Behring monoclonal antibodies were used in indirect immunofluorescence tests. The serum levels of immunoglobulins: G, A, M, E; C3c and C4 complement components; total circulating immune complexes (CIC) as well as acute phase proteins: C-reactive protein (CRP), haptoglobin, ceruloplasmin and transferrin were determined by nephelometry. The mean number of total lymphocytes in men exposed to S02 was increased by 43% (p < 0.001). The stimulation T-cell line exposed to S02 was evidenced by increased number of (CD3+)T-cells, by about twice (p < 0.001) increased number of (CD4+)T-helper cells and by 68% (p < 0.001) increased number of (CD8+)T-suppressor cells. The higher increase of (CD4+)T-helper cells compared to (CD8+)T-suppressor cells caused the increased value of the (CD4+)T-helper/(CD8+)T-suppressor ratio by about 25% (p < 0.01) in the subjects exposed to S02. In contrast, a decreased number of (CD16+)NK cells by about 38% (p < 0.001) in men exposed to S02 was also observed. No changes were observed in the number of (CD19+)B-cells, as well as in the (CD3+)T/(CD8+)T-suppressor ratio. In the group exposed to S02, elevation of IgG serum levels by 23.3% (p < 0.001) was evidenced, as well as a decrease of C3c by 15.6% (p < 0.001) and C4 by 30% (p < 0.001), whereas total CIC in the serum was elevateds in same conditions by about 74% (p < 0.001). No changes were observed in the serum levels of IgA, IgM, IgE, CRP, haptoglobin, ceruloplasmin and transferrin. Significant positive correlations Irl (0.51 to 0.57) were only between S02 concentrations in air and serum concentrations of total CIC. Moreover, significant negative correlations Irl between S02 concentrations in air and leucocytes (WBC), and the determined T-cells populations and (CD19+)B-cells also were observed. In conclusion, environmental exposure to S02 can enhance proinflammatory processes in degree of exposure dependent manner and also can change some parameters of cell-mediated immunity.
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