The effects of sub-acute exposure to palladium on cytokines in male Wistar rats

Palladium (Pd) and its compounds can cause sensitization, asthma and skin disorders. Sensitization to Pd is increasing in the European general population. In this study, Wistar rats were exposed for two weeks to 0, 1, 10,100 and 250 ng ml-1 of Pd as potassium hexachloro-palladate in drinking water. At the end of exposure, possible changes in two type-1 cytokines (IL-2, INF-gamma) and one type-2 cytokine (IL-4) in the serum were measured. Our findings suggest that, after a sub-acute exposure, a moderate level of Pd causes a strong Th2 response. This also occurs at higher concentrations. Although no effect on Th1 cells is observed up to a concentration of 250 ng/ml, a significant increase in IL-2 production is reported thereafter. These results therefore suggest that in sub-acute exposure, Pd exerts a significant immuno-modulating effect, altering the Th1/Th2 cytokine balance, even at low exposure doses. Our preliminary results indicate the need to carry out further studies to observe the effect of different types of Pd compounds and to measure other types of cytokines both in the animal model used in our study and in other models.