Effect of low-level NO/sub 2/ chronic exposure on elastase-induced emphysema

Journal Article · Mon Jun 01 00:00:00 EDT 1987 · Environ. Res.; (United States)

OSTI ID:5926804

Lafuma, C; Harf, A; Lange, F; Bozzi, L; Poncy, J L; Bignon, J

The effect of chronic exposure to 2 ppm nitrogen dioxide (NO/sub 2/) for 8 hr a day, 5 days a week, for 8 weeks was assessed in normal and emphysematous hamsters by measuring (1) lung morphometry (mean linear intercept (Lm) and internal surface area (ISA)), (2) lung mechanics (lung volume, compliance and coefficient of static deflation, pressure-volume curve fitted to an exponential equation), and (3) serum elastolytic activity and protease inhibitor capacity. Emphysema was induced by a single intratracheal injection of 6 IU porcine pancreatic elastase. Four groups of animals were used: control, NO/sub 2/-exposed, elastase-treated, and NO/sub 2/-exposed postelastase. Results show that NO/sub 2/ exposure alone induced mild emphysematous lesions whose degree of severity was of the same order as that of the lesions induced by 6 IU elastase. Exposure to 2 ppm NO/sub 2/ enhanced elastase-induced emphysema. By contrast, study of lung mechanics revealed no difference between the control and NO/sub 2/-exposed groups or between the elastase-treated animals exposed to NO/sub 2/ and those not so exposed. Lastly, results suggest that chronic exposure to 2 ppm NO/sub 2/ may cause individuals with inherited or acquired emphysematous lesions to develop more severe emphysema.

• Research Organization: Universite Paris Val de Marne, France
• OSTI ID: 5926804
• Journal Information: Environ. Res.; (United States), Journal Name: Environ. Res.; (United States) Vol. 43:1; ISSN ENVRA
• 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.
ANIMALS
BIOLOGICAL FUNCTIONS
BODY
CHALCOGENIDES
CHRONIC EXPOSURE
DISEASES
EMPHYSEMA
FUNCTIONS
HAMSTERS
LUNGS
MAMMALS
NITROGEN COMPOUNDS
NITROGEN DIOXIDE
NITROGEN OXIDES
ORGANS
OXIDES
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
RESPIRATORY SYSTEM
RESPIRATORY SYSTEM DISEASES
RODENTS
TOXICITY
VERTEBRATES