Do trichothecenes reduce viability of circulating blood cells and modify haemostasis parameters?

This manuscript describes the results of experiments conducted using human blood cells to determine the ability of T-2 toxin and DON to cause changes in clotting time, platelet aggregation, red blood cell haemolysis, RBC glucose content, lactate release, glutathione depletion, as well as white blood cell viability. In vitro results showed that haemostasis parameters and erythrocytes were not affected at concentrations able to induce inhibition of haematopoietic progenitor proliferation. In the presence of 10(-8) M and 10(-6) M T-2, the leucocyte number decreased at 24 h by 30% and 50% respectively. A 50% decrease in leucocyte number was observed for 10(-5) M DON. Results were compared with haematopoietic progenitor sensitivities. Due to the differences in sensitivities between mature blood cells and haematopoietic progenitors, haematological problems associated with trichothecene intoxication could be attributed to haematopoiesis inhibition.