EFFECT OF PHENYL MERCURIC ACETATE ON HUMAN T AND B LYMPHOCYTES

Background: the use of phenyl mercuric acetate as fungicides and herbicides has much increased in the recent years hence there are greater chances of mercury uptake by humans. the objective of this study was to determine the effect of phenyl mercuric acetate on human immune system. material & methods: this experimental study was conducted in phd research laboratory, faculty of pharmacy, gomal university, d.i.khan, pakistan, from december 2012 to january 2013. terasaki technique was employed to isolate components of white blood cells which is a density gradient separation technique carried out with suitable medium. this medium separate the components of wbc’s density-wise through centrifugation process. results: in case of t-cells, the drop in t-cells gsh contents by all used concentrations (0.0001-2.0mm) of phenyl mercuric acetate (pma) with respect to t-cells gsh control was 76.71% (2.306 μm), 73.52% (2.210 μm), 70.99% (2.134 μm), 64.64% (1.943μm), 61.68% (1.854μm) and 59.31% (1.783μm) respectively. the level of gsh content was depleted significantly (p<0.001) in both t and b-cells. conclusion: our study suggests that mercury is able to deplete gsh in t and b lymphocytes cells resulting in a compromised immune system. increasing use of these metals in the environment is a serious threat to human beings