Rabbit alveolar macrophages after inhalation of hexa- and trivalent chromium

Journal Article · Tue Apr 01 00:00:00 EST 1986 · Environ. Res.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/S0013-9351(86)80063-9· OSTI ID:5729400

Johansson, A; Wiernik, A; Jarstrand, C; Camner, P

Rabbits inhaled aerosols of hexavalent chromium (Na/sub 2/CrO/sub 4/) and trivalent chromium (Cr(NO/sub 3/)/sub 3/) at concentrations of 0.9 and 0.6 mg/m/sup 3/ of the metal, respectively, for 4-6 weeks (5 days/week and 6 hr/day). Significantly more macrophages were obtained from the lungs of rabbits exposed to Cr(VI) but not from rabbits exposed to Cr(III) as compared with the controls. Macrophages from rabbits exposed to Cr(III) showed several conspicuous changes. About one-third of the macrophages contained round dark inclusions, 0.5-1.5 ..mu..m diameter, rich in chromium. Most cells had very large lysosomes which contained membranous fragments of different sizes surrounded by a more homogeneous matrix. Laminated inclusions similar to the lamellar bodies in the type II cells increased in number as did the percentage of cells with a smooth cell surface. Also macrophages from rabbits exposed to Cr(VI) showed morphological changes. The most pronounced one was enlarged lysosomes which contained short lamellae and electron-dense patchy inclusions. Only Cr(III) produced functional changes of the macrophages. The metabolic activity measured by reduction of nitroblue tetrazolium was increased and the phagocytic activity reduced.

• Research Organization: National Institute of Environmental Medicine, Stockholm, Sweden
• OSTI ID: 5729400
• Journal Information: Environ. Res.; (United States), Vol. 39:2
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
CHROMIUM
TOXICITY
MACROPHAGES
MORPHOLOGICAL CHANGES
PATHOLOGICAL CHANGES
RABBITS
METABOLISM
PHAGOCYTOSIS
AEROSOLS
CHROMIUM COMPOUNDS
COMPARATIVE EVALUATIONS
INHALATION
VALENCE
ANIMAL CELLS
ANIMALS
COLLOIDS
CONNECTIVE TISSUE CELLS
DISPERSIONS
ELEMENTS
INTAKE
MAMMALS
METALS
PHAGOCYTES
SOLS
SOMATIC CELLS
TRANSITION ELEMENT COMPOUNDS
TRANSITION ELEMENTS
VERTEBRATES
560305* - Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology- Vertebrates- (-1987)