Ozone exposure alters tracheobronchial mucociliary function in humans

Journal Article · Tue Sep 01 04:00:00 EDT 1987 · J. Appl. Physiol.; (United States)

OSTI ID:5833331

Foster, W M; Costa, D L; Langenback, E G

Mucociliary function is a primary defense mechanism of the tracheobronchial airways, and yet the response of this system to an inhalational hazard, such as ozone, is undefined in humans. Utilizing noninvasive techniques to measure deposition and retention of insoluble radiolabeled particles on airway mucous membranes, we studied the effect on mucus transport of 0.2 and 0.4 ppm ozone compared with filtered air (FA) in seven healthy males. During 2-h chamber exposures, subjects alternated between periods of rest and light exercise with hourly spirometric measurement of lung function. Mechanical and mucociliary function responses to ozone by lung airways appeared concentration dependent. Reduction in particle retention was significant (P less than 0.005) (i.e., transport of lung mucus was increased during exposure to 0.4 ppm ozone and was coincident with impaired lung function; e.g., forced vital capacity and midmaximal flow rate fell by 12 and 16%, respectively, and forced expiratory volume at 1 s by 5%, of preexposure values). Regional analysis indicated that mucus flow from distal airways into central bronchi was significantly increased (P less than 0.025) by 0.2 ppm ozone. This peripheral effect, however, was buffered by only a marginal influence of 0.2 ppm ozone on larger bronchi, such that the resultant mucus transport for all airways of the lung in aggregate differed only slightly from FA exposures. These data may reflect differences in regional diffusion of ozone along the respiratory tract, rather than tissue sensitivity. In conclusion, mucociliary function of humans is acutely stimulated by ozone and may result from fluid additions to the mucus layer from mucosal and submucosal secretory cells and/or alteration of epithelial permeability.

• Research Organization: State Univ. of New York, Stony Brook
• OSTI ID: 5833331
• Journal Information: J. Appl. Physiol.; (United States), Journal Name: J. Appl. Physiol.; (United States) Vol. 63:3; ISSN JAPYA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

560300* -- Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
ANIMAL TISSUES
ANIMALS
BODY
DYNAMIC FUNCTION STUDIES
EPITHELIUM
EXERCISE
INHALATION
INTAKE
LUNGS
MAMMALS
MAN
MEMBRANES
MUCOUS MEMBRANES
ORGANS
OZONE
PERMEABILITY
PRIMATES
RESPIRATION
RESPIRATORY SYSTEM
RETENTION
TISSUES
TOXICITY
TRACHEA
VERTEBRATES