Lung lesions after experimental combined exposure to nickel and trivalent chromium

Journal Article · Sun Oct 01 04:00:00 EDT 1989 · Environmental Research; (USA)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/S0013-9351(89)80052-0· OSTI ID:6905697

Johansson, A; Camner, P ^[1]; Curstedt, T ^[2]; Robertson, B ^[3]

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1. Univ. of Stockolm (Sweden)
2. Karolinska Hospital, Stockholm (Sweden)
3. St. Goeran's Hospital, Stockholm (Sweden)

Rabbits were exposed to a combination of 0.7 mg/m{sup 3} of Ni{sup 2+} as NiCl{sub 2} and 1.2 mg/m{sup 3} of Cr{sup 3+} as Cr(NO{sub 3}){sub 3} to 0.6 mg/m{sup 3} of Ni{sup 2+} as NiCl{sub 2}, or to filtered air for 4 months (5 days/weeks, 6 hr/day). Light microscopy of the lung tissue showed widespread areas with nodular accumulation of macrophages in all rabbits exposed to both metals, in two rabbits exposed to nickel alone, and in none of the controls. Electron microscopy of the lung showed attenuated septa and alveoli stuffed surfactant-like material in the group exposed to both metals. In two of these rabbits, groups of alveoli were filled with densely packed debris and type I cell borders were obscure. The reaction in the group exposed to nickel alone was less prominent. The volume density of alveolar type II cells showed a fourfold increase after exposure to both metals and a twofold increase following exposure to nickel alone compared to controls. The lung tissue content of total phospholipids and especially phosphatidylcholines and phosphatidylinositols was significantly higher in the groups exposed to both metals than in controls or in animals exposed to nickel only. In lung tissue the molar percentage of 1,2-dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine was significantly higher in the group exposed to both metals than in the other groups. The results indicate that trivalent chromium potentiates the effects of nickel on the type II cells resulting in an increased surfactant production; in addition, trivalent chromium probably reduces the catabolism of surfactant in alveolar macrophages.

• OSTI ID: 6905697
• Journal Information: Environmental Research; (USA), Journal Name: Environmental Research; (USA) Vol. 50:1; ISSN ENVRA; ISSN 0013-9351
• 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 CELLS
ANIMALS
BODY
CHROMIUM
CONNECTIVE TISSUE CELLS
ELEMENTS
ESTERS
LIPIDS
LUNGS
MACROPHAGES
MAMMALS
METALS
NICKEL
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC PHOSPHORUS COMPOUNDS
ORGANS
PATHOLOGICAL CHANGES
PHAGOCYTES
PHOSPHOLIPIDS
RABBITS
RESPIRATORY SYSTEM
SOMATIC CELLS
SURFACTANTS
TOXICITY
TRANSITION ELEMENTS
VERTEBRATES