Peripheral blood mononuclear cellular viability and its correlation with long-term pulmonary complications after sulfur mustard exposure.

Sulfur mustard (SM) as a chemical warfare agent has short- and long-term complications on its victims. Complications of exposure to SM depend on the level of contamination. Long-term pulmonary complications are the most serious problems. Recent evidence has shown that absorbed SM can be conducted to other tissues by the bloodstream. In this study, we evaluated the long-term effects of SM on the vital activity of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) in SM-exposed patients with long-term pulmonary complications. Our study samples were 110 patients with long-term pulmonary complications in the SM-exposed group and 109 unexposed individuals in the control group. After clinical examination and pulmonary function tests, the severity of pulmonary complications was classified. Also, the participants' peripheral blood was taken into EDTA-treated Vacutainer tubes. Then, the complete blood count (CBC) was calculated, and PBMCs was purified from whole blood using Ficol-Paque gradient method, finally, the vital activity was assessed by MTT assay. The vital activity of PBMCs in the SM-exposed group with the mitogen was significantly lower than that in the control group (P = 0.016). Whereas, there was no significant difference in the viability of PBMCs without the mitogen between two groups. Furthermore, hematologic findings indicated that the SM-exposed group had a significant increase in the total count of WBC, neutrophil, MCV, and HCT values but the lymphocyte count and MCHC value were significantly lower than those in the control group. Exposure to SM even after a long time, can affect hematologic parameters and vital activity of PBMCs. • We evaluated the long-term effects of SM on the vital activity of PBMCs in SM-exposed patients with pulmonary complications. • The vital activity of PBMCs in the SM-exposed group in the presence of PHA was significantly lower than in the control group. • The level of PBMCs' vital activity was lower significantly in severe and very sever patients compared to the control group. • Total count of WBC, neutrophil, MCV, and HCT values were significantly increased in the SM-exposed group. • The lymphocyte count and MCHC value were significantly lower than those in the control group. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]