Protection against membrane-mediated cytotoxicity by calcium and zinc.

Injection of S. aureus alpha toxin or ultraviolet-inactivated Sendai virus into the mammary gland of lactating mice leads to cytopathic changes in the alveolar cells compatible with a breakdown of their permeability barrier. Simultaneous administration of Ca2+ or Zn2+ prevents such changes, as it does when added to alveolar cells in vitro. It is concluded that increased levels of Zn2+ (and under certain conditions of Ca2+) may exert a protective role that is clinically significant.