[Effect of cadmium on the beta-adrenoreceptor of splenic cell of rats and its immunotoxicity].

Rats were given cadmium(Cd) alone or Cd with beta-antagonist in order to study the effect of Cd on beta-adrenoreceptor density of rat splenic cells. The subsets of T-lymphocytes (CD4+, CD8+, CD4+/CD8+) and the proliferation of T lymphocytes were also detected. Cadmium alone stimulated and increased beta-adrenoreceptor density of rat splenic cell membrane. The immunotoxicity of Cd showed that the proliferation of T-lymphocytes was inhibited and the subsets of T cells were changed. But in the animals with beta-antagonist, the immunotoxicity of Cd on T cells was decreased. It is concluded that beta-adrenoreceptor may play an important role in the mechanism of cadmium on cell immunotoxicity.