Rabbit lungs after long-term exposure to low nickel dust concentration. II. Effects on morphology and function

Journal Article · Tue Feb 01 04:00:00 EST 1983 · Environ. Res.; (United States)

OSTI ID:5578189

Johansson, A ^[1]; Camner, P; Jarstrand, C; Wiernik, A

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1. National Inst. of Environmental Medicine, Stockholm, Sweden

For 4 and 8 months (5 days/week, 6 hr/day) rabbits were exposed to 0.13 + 0.05 (mean + SD) mg/m/sup 3/ of metallic nickel dust. Volume density of alveolar type II cells was estimated with electron microscopy and their abilities to reduce nitroblue tetrazolium (NBT) and to phagocytize particles were tested. The effects seemed to be similar after 4 and 8 months of exposure and when the exposed animals were combined, volume density of type II cells was increased and also significantly correlated with concentration of disaturated phosphatidylcholines in the lung. The macrophages had an active surface. Their NBT activity at rest was increased but a further increase during stimulation with E. coli was low, suggesting an impaired function.

• OSTI ID: 5578189
• Journal Information: Environ. Res.; (United States), Journal Name: Environ. Res.; (United States) Vol. 30:1; ISSN ENVRA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

560305* -- Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology-- Vertebrates-- (-1987)
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
ANIMAL CELLS
ANIMALS
BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS
BIOLOGICAL FUNCTIONS
BODY
CONNECTIVE TISSUE CELLS
DUSTS
ELEMENTS
FUNCTIONS
LUNGS
MACROPHAGES
MAMMALS
METALS
MICROSCOPY
MORPHOLOGICAL CHANGES
NICKEL
ORGANS
PHAGOCYTES
RABBITS
RESPIRATORY SYSTEM
SENSITIVITY
SOMATIC CELLS
TRANSITION ELEMENTS
VERTEBRATES