In vitro biologic responses to native and surface-modified asbestos

Journal Article · Tue Apr 01 04:00:00 EST 1986 · Environ. Res.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/S0013-9351(86)80060-3· OSTI ID:5842978

Hahon, N; Vallyathan, V; Booth, J A; Sepulveda, M J

A comparative study was made of in vitro biologic responses to native chrysotile, amosite, and crocidolite and corresponding asbestos fibers whose surfaces were modified by metal oxides. Interferon induction by influenza virus was depressed by approximately 50% by all native asbestos whereas corresponding surface modified asbestos minimally affected this nonspecific cellular defense mechanism. The release of the cytoplasmic enzyme, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and lysosomal enzymes, ..beta..-N-acetylglucosaminidase (..beta..-NAG) and ..beta..-glucuronidase (..beta..-Gluc), by rat alveolar macrophages after exposure to either native or surface-modified asbestos (which is indicative of membrane damage) was monitored. Although both native and surface-modified asbestos induced significant leakage of LDH, generally, lesser amounts of the enzyme were released as a result of exposure to the latter than to native asbestos. Whereas all forms of native asbestos caused significant release of ..beta..-NAG and ..beta..-Gluc, leakage of these enzymes from macrophages exposed to surface-modified asbestos was minimal. In contrast to native asbestos which induced irritation of cell membranes, as indicated by hemolysis of sheep erythrocytes, surface-modified asbestos exhibited minimal hemolytic activity. The findings indicate that surface modification of different asbestos by metal oxides generally lessened the adverse effect of the native mineral on the aforementioned biologic entities.

• Research Organization: West Virginia Univ. School of Medicine, Morgantown
• OSTI ID: 5842978
• Journal Information: Environ. Res.; (United States), Journal Name: Environ. Res.; (United States) Vol. 39:2; ISSN ENVRA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

560301* -- Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology-- Cells-- (-1987)
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
ANIMAL CELLS
ANIMALS
ASBESTOS
CELL CONSTITUENTS
CELL MEMBRANES
CHALCOGENIDES
COMPARATIVE EVALUATIONS
CONNECTIVE TISSUE CELLS
ELEMENTS
ENZYME ACTIVITY
GROWTH FACTORS
HEMOLYSIS
IN VITRO
INTERFERON
LYMPHOKINES
LYSIS
MACROPHAGES
MAMMALS
MEMBRANES
METALS
MITOGENS
MODIFICATIONS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
OXIDES
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PATHOLOGICAL CHANGES
PHAGOCYTES
PROTEINS
RATS
RESPONSE MODIFYING FACTORS
RODENTS
SOMATIC CELLS
SURFACES
TOXICITY
VERTEBRATES