Ultrastructural Correlates of the Protection Afforded by Niacinamide against Sulfur Mustard-Induced Cytotoxicity of Human Lymphocytes in Vitro

Abstract

We have previously shown that HD causes a concentration-dependent decrease in the viability of human lymphocytes as measured by dye exclusion. We have also shown that this decrease in viability was preventable by inhibitors of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase, such as niacinamide. We are now gaining morphological correlates of the protection afforded by niacinamide through scanning and transmission electron microscopy study of human lymphocytes exposed to .001 M sulfur mustard (HD) incubated in the presence or absence of .001 M niacinamide for 24 hours at 37 C. Lymphocytes exposed to HD alone demonstrated 30%-40% viability and presented loss of microvilli, large cytoplasmic vacuoles, extensive blebbing of the perinuclear envelope, loss of cytoplasmic organelles, condensation of nuclear chromatin and multiple perforations of the plasmalemma. HD-treated lymphocytes in the presence of niacinamide had a viability of 87% and, except for blunting of microvilli, presented essentially normal ultrastructure. Although the sequence of the observed ultrastructural changes was not established, results of this morphologic study suggest that, in addition to the prevention of plasmalemma deficits and dye infusion, the mechanism of niacinamide protection appears to include the preservation of morphologic and functional integrity of cellular organelles.

Open PDF

Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Dec 01, 1988
Accession Number
ADA203118

Entities

People

  • Henry L. Meier
  • John P. Petrali
  • Susan B. Olgesby

Organizations

  • United States Army Medical Research Institute of Chemical Defense

Tags

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Biological Sciences
  • Biomedical Research
  • Blood
  • Cell Membrane
  • Cells
  • Cellular Structures
  • Condensation
  • Cytoplasm
  • Electron Microscopy
  • Electrons
  • Health
  • Lymphocytes
  • Microscopy
  • Organelles
  • Scanning
  • Scanning Electron Microscopy
  • Transmission Electron Microscopy

Fields of Study

  • Biology
  • Medicine

Readers

  • Geochemistry
  • Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry
  • Toxicology/Environmental Toxicology

Technology Areas

  • Microelectronics