Some effects of nitrogen dioxide on the lung

Journal Article · Fri Apr 01 04:00:00 EST 1977 · Fed. Proc.; (United States)

OSTI ID:7215257

Kleinerman, J

Nitrogen dioxide (NO/sub 2/) when inhaled in different concentrations and for varying times produces pulmonary injuries which are dependent on the anatomic site in the lung and the duration of exposure. Single exposures to high concentrations of NO/sub 2/ for 5 to 6 hr produce an intense cellular proliferation which regresses within 48 hr in all lung regions except the terminal respiratory bronchiole region and the alveoli where the proliferation persists for 4 to 7 days. This same delayed response is also observed in more chronic exposures. Histologically, the lesion in the terminal and respiratory bronchioles may resemble an obliterative bronchiolitis, but the lesion clears if further exposure is terminated. Prolonged exposure to 20 ppM NO/sub 2/, 20 to 22 hr per day for 7 days per wk, produces an increase in total pulmonary and upstream resistance in animals killed immediately after exposure; this resistence returns to normal values within 3 mo after removal from exposure. The internal surface area (ISA) is decreased after 12 mo exposure to NO/sub 2/, but this loss of surface progresses during the recovery period in air, suggesting an autonomous progression of the tissue destructive process. Exposure to 3.64 ppM NO/sub 2/ with and without fly ash for periods of 12 to 14 mo causes no increase in pulmonary resistance and no alteration in lung surface. Lung phospholipids and protein synthesis appear to be depressed following exposure to NO/sub 2/. Lecithin is significantly increased. The synthesis of proteases by alveolar macrophages is increased during NO/sub 2/ exposure. Pigmented alveolar macrophages present in animals exposed to NO/sub 2/ simulate those found in human lungs of young cigarette smokers in the terminal and respiratory bronchioles. The mechanism of tissue injury by oxidants such as NO/sub 2/ may involve free radical formation, and peroxidation of lipids or proteins.

• Research Organization: Case Western Reserve Univ., Cleveland
• OSTI ID: 7215257
• Journal Information: Fed. Proc.; (United States), Journal Name: Fed. Proc.; (United States) Vol. 36:5; ISSN FEPRA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

550900 -- Pathology
560305* -- Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology-- Vertebrates-- (-1987)
59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
AEROSOL WASTES
AEROSOLS
ANIMAL CELLS
BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS
BIOSYNTHESIS
BODY
CHALCOGENIDES
COLLOIDS
CONNECTIVE TISSUE CELLS
DISPERSIONS
DOSE-RESPONSE RELATIONSHIPS
ENZYMES
ESTERS
FLY ASH
INHALATION
INTAKE
LECITHINS
LIPIDS
LUNGS
MACROPHAGES
NITROGEN COMPOUNDS
NITROGEN DIOXIDE
NITROGEN OXIDES
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC PHOSPHORUS COMPOUNDS
ORGANS
OXIDES
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PHAGOCYTES
PHOSPHOLIPIDS
PROTEINS
RESIDUES
RESPIRATORY SYSTEM
SMOKES
SOLS
SOMATIC CELLS
SYNTHESIS
TOBACCO SMOKES
WASTES