Effects of inhalation of 0. 25 ppm ozone on the terminal bronchioles of juvenile and adult rats

Journal Article · Fri Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1988 · Exp. Lung Res.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.3109/01902148809115126· OSTI ID:7138362

Barry, B E; Mercer, R R; Miller, F J; Crapo, J D

Cells of the terminal bronchioles are particularly susceptible to the effects of inhalation of low levels of ozone (O/sub 3/). One-day-old (juvenile) or 6-week-old (adult) rats were exposed to 0.25 ppm O/sub 3/ for 12 h/day or to continuous room air for 6 weeks. Morphometric analysis of perpendicular cross sections of terminal bronchioles demonstrated that exposure to O3 produced alterations in the surface characteristics of ciliated and nonciliated (Clara) cells in both groups of rats. There were significant losses (20-30%) of the surface area contributed by cilia and the luminal surface of Clara cells was decreased by 16-25%. O/sub 3/ exposure also produced significant decreases in the number of brush cells per square millimeter of terminal bronchiolar basement membrane. The results of this study indicate that the normal structure of terminal bronchiolar epithelial cells is significantly altered by inhalation of 0.25 ppm O/sub 3/. No statistically significant interactions between the effects of O/sub 3/ and animal age at the beginning of the exposure were found.

• Research Organization: Duke Univ., Durham, NC (USA)
• OSTI ID: 7138362
• Journal Information: Exp. Lung Res.; (United States), Journal Name: Exp. Lung Res.; (United States) Vol. 14:2; ISSN EXLRD
• 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.
AGE DEPENDENCE
ANIMAL TISSUES
ANIMALS
BODY
BRONCHI
CELL CONSTITUENTS
CELL MEMBRANES
EPITHELIUM
INHALATION
INTAKE
MAMMALS
MEMBRANES
MORPHOLOGICAL CHANGES
OZONE
RATS
RESPIRATORY SYSTEM
RODENTS
TISSUES
TOXICITY
ULTRASTRUCTURAL CHANGES
VERTEBRATES