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4B - Human health and environmental connections (WE18/13) Toxic effects of lead carbonate on spleen. Tracana, Rosa 1, Ferreira, Eduarda1, Pereira, Lourdes2, 1 Escola Superior de Educação, Guarda, Portugal, Portugal2 Universidade de Aveiro, Aveiro, Portugal, Portugal ABSTRACT- Lead is a widespread hazard metal which produces a broad spectrum of adverse health effects on humans (1). The effects of lead on the immune system are diverse but not fully understood. In our previous work, adverse effects on thymus were documented with lead carbonate. These studies, based on cryogenic sections of this primary lymphoid organ, evidenced vacuolation, mild distinction between cortex and medulla, depletion of thymocytes and deposits of blood (2). In order to gain a better understanding of the adverse effects of lead compounds on the immune system, the present work aims to detail the toxic effects of lead carbonate on mouse spleen. Animals (60 days old) were subcutaneously injected with 0.5 ml of lead carbonate (1,5 mg/Kg/body weight) each 72h on days 0, 3, 10 and 15. Control mice were injected with saline solution. Cryogenic sections of spleen were made, stained with haematoxylin/eosin, and observed at light microscope. Spleen sections from all animals treated with the metallic solution, showed morphological changes. At day 3 deposits of blood were already noted, and depletion of lymphocytes and the presence of multinucleated giant cells were clearly evidenced. After 10 days of treatment the normal architecture of spleen was modified. The morphology of the white pulp was adversely affected by this solution. It was noted a severe cellular desorganization. These observations showed that spleen is another target organ for lead carbonate, as thymus, according to our previous results. Altogether they suggest the impairment of immune system, owing to their functional role. However, a multidisciplinary approach will be the most efficient way to fill the gaps in this field and future directions of research will be highlighted in this paper. Key words: spleen, lead carbonate, toxicity, immune system |
