Toxicity to alveolar macrophages in rats following parenteral injection of mercuric chloride.

Alveolar macrophages collected by pulmonary lavage from male Fisher-344 rats at intervals (24-72 h) after HgCl2 injection (1-5 mg/kg, s.c.) were analyzed by several techniques. Within 24-72 h, the macrophages showed morphological signs of activation (hypertrophy and ruffled plasma membrane). Lipid peroxidation (increased malondialdehyde concentration) was not detected until 48 h. Dose- and time-related effects of HgCl2 on malondialdehyde concentration and mercury content of alveolar macrophages were observed 24-72 h postinjection. Diminished cell viability occurred only at 72 h after the highest dosage of HgCl2. This study demonstrates that the alveolar macrophage was a cellular target for mercury toxicity following parenteral exposure to HgCl2.