Effects of sulfur oxides on eicosanoids

Journal Article · Sun Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1989 · Journal of Toxicology and Environmental Health; (USA)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1080/15287398909531331· OSTI ID:5387569

Chen, L C; Miller, P D; Amdur, M O ^[1]

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1. New York Univ. Medical Center, Tuxedo (USA)

Ultrafine metal oxides and SO2 react during coal combustion or smelting operations to form primary emissions coated with an acidic SOx layer. Ongoing work in this laboratory has examined the effects of sulfur oxides on pulmonary functions of guinea pigs. We have previously reported that 20 micrograms/m3 acidic sulfur oxide as a surface layer on ultrafine ZnO particles decreases lung volumes, decreases carbon monoxide diffusing capacity, and causes lung inflammation in guinea pigs after 4 daily 3-h exposures. It also produces bronchial hypersensitivity following a single 1-h exposure. The importance of this surface layer is demonstrated by our observation that 200 micrograms/m3 of sulfuric acid droplets of equivalent size are needed to produce the same degree of hypersensitivity. This study characterized the concentration-dependent effects of in vivo exposures to sulfur oxides on arachidonic acid metabolism in the guinea pig lung, and investigated the time course and the relation between eicosanoid composition and pulmonary functions. We focused specifically on four cyclooxygenase metabolites of arachidonic acid, that is, prostaglandins (PG) E1, F2 alpha, 6-keto prostaglandin F1 alpha, and thromboxane (Tx) B2, and two groups of sulfidopeptide leukotrienes (C4, D4, E4, and F4). Guinea pigs were exposed to ultrafine ZnO aerosol (count median diameter = 0.05 microns, sigma g = 1.80) with a layer of acidic sulfur oxide on the surface of the particles. Lung lavage was collected after exposures, and the levels of arachidonic acid metabolites were determined using radioimmunoassay (RIA). Concentration-dependent promotion of PGF2 alpha and concentration-dependent suppression of LtB4 were observed. The increased PGF2 alpha was associated with depressed vital capacity and diffusing capacity of the lungs measured in guinea pigs exposed to the same atmosphere described in a previous study.

• OSTI ID: 5387569
• Journal Information: Journal of Toxicology and Environmental Health; (USA), Journal Name: Journal of Toxicology and Environmental Health; (USA) Vol. 28:1; ISSN JTEHD; ISSN 0098-4108
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

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59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
ANIMALS
ARACHIDONIC ACID
BIOASSAY
BODY
CARBONACEOUS MATERIALS
CARBOXYLIC ACIDS
CHALCOGENIDES
COAL
DIAGNOSTIC TECHNIQUES
EICOSANOIC ACID
ENERGY SOURCES
FOSSIL FUELS
FUELS
GUINEA PIGS
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
IMMUNOASSAY
IMMUNOLOGY
INORGANIC ACIDS
ISOTOPE APPLICATIONS
LUNGS
MAMMALS
MATERIALS
METABOLISM
METABOLITES
MONOCARBOXYLIC ACIDS
ORGANIC ACIDS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANS
OXIDES
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PARTICLE SIZE
PROSTAGLANDINS
RADIOASSAY
RADIOIMMUNOASSAY
RADIOIMMUNODETECTION
RADIOIMMUNOLOGY
RESPIRATORY SYSTEM
RODENTS
SIZE
SULFUR COMPOUNDS
SULFUR OXIDES
SULFURIC ACID
TOXICITY
TRACER TECHNIQUES
VERTEBRATES
ZINC COMPOUNDS
ZINC OXIDES