Further studies on the ability of different metal salts to influence the DNA synthesis of human lymphoid cells.

In a further study on the ability of different metal salts to influence the DNA synthesis of human lymphoid cells, aluminum chloride, beryllium chloride, cadmium chloride, cupric sulfate, ferric chloride, manganese chloride, palladium chloride, platinum chloride and silver nitrate, were tested regarding effect on thymocytes and peripheral blood lymphocytes in children. At certain concentrations in the range of 10(-4)-10(-5)M, all tested compounds but aluminum chloride and ferric chloride, were inhibitory, the latter compounds inhibited at 4.8 X 10(-3)M. A slight stimulation mainly on the thymocytes was obtained with beryllium chloride, cadmium chloride, palladium chloride, platinum chloride and silver nitrate, at certain concentrations in the range of 10(-5)-10(-6)M, while ferric chloride gave a slight stimulation at 1.2 X 10(-3)M. Thus, the tested metal salts should be suitable for use in lymphocyte transformation tests for diagnosis of contact allergy.