Lung response to crystalline silica exposure in rats
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ABSTRACT: Exposure to crystalline silica results in serious health effects, most notably, silicosis and cancer. An understanding of the silica-induced lung toxicity is critical for the intervention and/or prevention of its adverse health effects. Rats were exposed by inhalation to air or crystalline silica (15 mg/m3, 6 hours/day for 5 days). At post-exposure time intervals of 1, 3, 6, 9, 12, and 18 months, the control and silica exposed rats were euthanized, and lung toxicity and gene expression profiles determined. Histological changes indicative of lung toxicity detected in the silica exposed rats included infiltration of neutrophils, thickening of alveolar epithelium, and fibrosis. Significant increases in lactate dehydrogenase activity, number of phagocytes, and inflammatory cytokine levels were detected in the bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) obtained from the silica exposed rats compared with the corresponding time-matched controls. Significant changes in lung gene expression profiles, corresponding to the changes in the lung toxicity parameters analyzed, were detected in the silica exposed rats. The BAL parameters of toxicity and inflammation peaked at the 12-months post-exposure time interval and declined subsequently. However, lung fibrosis continued to progress being highest at the 18-month post-exposure time interval. These results suggest that inflammation may be required for the initiation but not for the progression and/or maintenance of lung fibrosis in response to silica exposure in the rats.
ORGANISM(S): Rattus norvegicus
PROVIDER: GSE150689 | GEO | 2022/12/31
REPOSITORIES: GEO
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