Alveolar macrophages in rabbits after combined exposure to nickel and trivalent chromium

Journal Article · Mon Aug 01 04:00:00 EDT 1988 · Environ. Res.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/S0013-9351(88)80026-4· OSTI ID:6922354

Johansson, A; Wiernik, A; Lundborg, M; Jarstrand, C; Camner, P

Rabbits were exposed to a combination of 0.7 mg/m3 Ni2+ as NiCl/sub 2/ and 1.2 mg/m3 of Cr3+ as Cr(NO/sub 3/)/sub 3/, to 0.6 mg/m3 of Ni2+ as NiCl/sub 2/, or to filtered air for about 4 months, 5 days/week and 6 hr/day. Alveolar macrophages were recovered by lung lavage and studied by light and electron microscopy. Metabolic activity, phagocytic capacity and lysozyme activity in the macrophages were studied. After the combined exposure, the effects on lung weight, number of macrophages, and appearance of surface and number of intracellular laminated inclusions in these cells were more than additive. These effects might be explained by a combination of increased production by Ni2+ and impaired catabolism of surfactant by Cr3+. Because the metal concentrations used were not far above occupational threshold limit values, combined exposures to nickel and trivalent chromium should be considered more seriously.

• Research Organization: Karolinska Institute, Stockholm (Sweden)
• OSTI ID: 6922354
• Journal Information: Environ. Res.; (United States), Journal Name: Environ. Res.; (United States) Vol. 46:2; 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.
ANIMAL CELLS
ANIMALS
BODY
CHROMIUM
CONNECTIVE TISSUE CELLS
ELECTRON MICROSCOPY
ELEMENTS
ENVIRONMENTAL EXPOSURE
ENZYMES
GLYCOSYL HYDROLASES
HYDROLASES
LAVAGE
LUNGS
LYSOZYME
MACROPHAGES
MAMMALS
METABOLISM
METALS
MICROSCOPY
NICKEL
O-GLYCOSYL HYDROLASES
ORGANS
PHAGOCYTES
PHAGOCYTOSIS
RABBITS
RESPIRATORY SYSTEM
SOMATIC CELLS
SYNERGISM
TRANSITION ELEMENTS
VERTEBRATES