Chromium(III) induced abnormalities in human lymphocyte cell proliferation: evidence for apoptosis.

The occupational hazards and respiratory problems of workers associated with the chromium related industries like mining, electroplating and tanning have received much focus. Although the cytotoxic and mutagenic effects of common chromium(VI) compounds are now established, to the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of apoptosis (programmed cell death) caused by a set of Cr(III) complexes in human lymphocyte cells. The effects of five Cr(III) complexes with differing ligand environment and structure as well as K2Cr2O7 on Phytohaemagglutinin (PHA) induced lymphocyte cell proliferation have been investigated. Two of the Cr(III) complexes and K2Cr2O7 are found to cause apoptosis of lymphocytes but not the others. A case for the importance of species specific effects rather than non specific metal oxidation state dependent processes has now been made.