Abstract
The levels of serum interleukin-1β (IL-1β), interleukin-2 (IL-2), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) and gamma-interferon (γ-IFN) were assessed in the workers who were occupationally exposed to lead and cadmium. The values were compared with the age-matched control group. Blood lead and cadmium levels were significantly raised. Our findings suggest that chronic lead and cadmium exposure in humans resulted in significant suppression of the serum IL-1β level, but did not alter IL-2 and TNF-α levels. The γ-IFN level was also reduced in lead workers. In contrast, a significant enhancement was observed in the cadmium-exposed group. We conclude from these results that lead and cadmium exposure at chronically high level may affect some cytokine levels in humans.
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