Alveolar macrophages in rabbits exposed to nickel dust

Journal Article · Sat Jul 01 04:00:00 EDT 1978 · Environ. Res.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/0013-9351(78)90158-5· OSTI ID:6689330

Camner, P; Johansson, A; Lundborg, M

Two groups of four rabbits each were exposed to 0.5 and 2.0 mg/m/sup 3/ of metallic nickel dust respectively, for 4 weeks (5 days/week, 6 hours/day). About half of the particle masses penetrated a Casella preseparator. After exposure the lungs were extracted and lavaged. Compared to four control rabbits significant effects were seen in both exposed groups with regard to lung weight and density as well as phagocytic activity, size distribution, and ultrastructure of the alveolar macrophages (numerous slender microvilli and long protrusions from the cell surface and laminated structures similar to those seen in alveolar type II cells). The effects on the macrophages were probably not caused directly by nickel. The lung washing from the exposed rabbits contained an amorphous substance rich in phospholipids and laminated structures. Apart from the ultrastructural changes the effects seemed to be dose related. The results of exposure to metallic nickel dust have at least some features in common with ''alveolar lipoproteinosis,'' described in rats exposed to silica dust, and with ''pulmonary alveolar proteinosis,'' described in man.

• Research Organization: Univ. of Stockholm
• OSTI ID: 6689330
• Journal Information: Environ. Res.; (United States), Journal Name: Environ. Res.; (United States) Vol. 16:1-3; ISSN ENVRA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

550500 -- Metabolism
560305* -- Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology-- Vertebrates-- (-1987)
59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
ANIMAL CELLS
ANIMALS
BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS
BODY
CONNECTIVE TISSUE CELLS
DOSE-RESPONSE RELATIONSHIPS
DUSTS
ELEMENTS
LIPIDS
LUNGS
MACROPHAGES
MAMMALS
METALS
MORPHOLOGICAL CHANGES
NICKEL
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANS
PHAGOCYTES
PHAGOCYTOSIS
PROTEINS
RABBITS
RESPIRATORY SYSTEM
SIZE
SOMATIC CELLS
TRANSITION ELEMENTS
ULTRASTRUCTURAL CHANGES
VERTEBRATES