Background and Objective: Lymphocytes are one of the main White blood cells that their integrity are important for the body's defense system. Humans are exposed to heavy metals and environmental pollutant, including cadmium, via several ways. Cadmium exerts destructive effects on blood parameters by inducing oxidative stress. This aim of this study was to investigate the effect of cadmium chloride on viability and membrane integrity of human lymphocyte. Materials and Methods: Blood samples were taken from 18 healthy individuals and their lymphocytes were isolated using Ficoll solution. The lymphocytes were suspended in RPMI medium transferred to 96 wells sterile plate (1×106 cells per ml). The samples were divided into three groups: 1) 0 hour lymphocytes, 2) control group and 3) incubator at 37°C. To evaluate cell viability, trypan blue staining and MTT assay were used while for evaluating membrane integrity of lymphocytes stained by propidium iodide and acridine orange. The results were analyzed by one way ANOVA and Tukey's test. Results: Treatment of lymphocytes with cadmium chloride for 24 hours could significantly decrease viability of lymphocytes. However, this pollutant had no effect on the integrity of the plasma membrane. Conclusion: Cadmium chloride exerts negative effects on the lymphocyte viability for 24 hours, while at this time point had no effect on the membrane integrity.
