... joints of the HgCl2-exposed rats demonstrated more marked synovial hypertrophy and hyperplasia and a marked infiltration of the synovial tissues, primarily by neutrophils. This is accompanied by ... resistance to ReA can be overcome byheavy metal exposure. Mercury exposure alters the cytokineprofile, host clearance capability, and histopathological out-come from the resistant phenotype to the ... (Redmond, WA, USA) and followed the proto-col of the manufacturer. Rat serum was run at a 1:200 dilutionin the assay.CytokinesSerum and synovial tissue cytokine levels in the Hg-exposed and non-exposed...