Effect of nickel compounds on apoptosis of alveolar macrophages in rats

Objective To explore the mechanism of apoptosis of alveolar macrophages induced by nickel compounds.Methods Rats were treated with Ni3S2 and Ni₂O₃.Sixteen months later,pulmonary alveolar macrophages(AM)of all experimental rats were collected.Apoptosis of AM was measured by propid iumstaining and flow cytometry(FCM).Fluo-3 AM staining and FCM were used to detect the intracellular free calcium.Mitochondrial membrane electric potential was measured by rhodamine 123 staining with FCM.Results The apoptosis rate of AM in Ni3S2 treated rats(8.6±5.5)was higher than that of control group(2.2±0.7,P<0.05).The intracellular calcium increased(26.6±8.7 vs 19.5±0.5,P<0.05)and mitochondrial membrane electric potential decreased(7.7±3.4 vs 10.9±0.84,P<0.05).Conclusion Changes of intracellular calcium and mitochondrial membrane electric potential may play pivotal roles in apoptosis of AM induced by nickel.