Long-term Pulmonary Responses to Quadweekly Intermittent Intratracheal Spray Instillations of Magnetite (Fe3O4) Nanoparticles for 52 Weeks in Fischer 344 Rats

Information about potential risks of iron nanomaterials is still limited, while a wide variety of applications are expected. We recently reported acute phase responses of male and female Fischer 344 rats after a single intratracheal spray instillation of Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles (magnetite), clearly showing dose-dependent pulmonary inflammatory changes (Tada et al., J Toxicol Pathol 25, 233–239, 2012). The present study assessed long-term responses of male and female Fischer 344 rats to multiple administrations of magnetite. Ten-week-old male and female Fischer 344 rats (n=20/group) were exposed to a total of 13 quadweekly intermittent intratracheal spray instillations of magnetite during the experimental period of 52 weeks, at doses of 0, 0.2 (low), 1.0 (medium) and 5.0 (high-dose) mg/kg body weight per administration. Absolute and relative lung weights of the high-dose group were significantly higher than those of the control group. Macroscopically, slight enlargement and scattered black patches were recognized in the lungs and the lung-associated lymph nodes of the high-dose group. Histopathologically, infiltration of macrophages phagocytosing magnetite (all dose groups) and of chronic inflammatory cells (medium- and high-dose males and high-dose females), alveolar bronchiolization and granuloma (high-dose group) were observed. In addition, alveolar hyperplasias were observed in some rats of the high-dose group, and cytoplasmic overexpression of β-catenin protein was immunohistochemically found in such lesions. The present results clearly show that instilled magnetite causes chronic inflammatory responses in the lung. These responses occur in a dose-dependent manner without apparent differences among sexes     

Comparison of acute inhalation toxicity of sulfuric acid by the inhalation and intratracheal instillation methods

Recently, intratracheal instillation has been focused on as a simple, low-cost alternative to the inhalation method. In this study, intratracheal instillation of sulfuric acid, a typical acidic compound, was performed to compare the acute toxicity of acidic compounds that could cause damage to the respiratory system between intratracheal instillation and inhalation. Sulfuric acid was administered to male rats at doses of 0.7, 2, 7, 20, and 60 mg/kg by dividing the total dose into four doses. General condition and body weight were examined up to 14 days after administration, and macropathological and histopathological examinations were performed. The half-lethal dose was then estimated. All animals administered 20 and 60 mg/kg sulfuric acid and one animal administered 2 mg/kg sulfuric acid died within 4 h after administration. No abnormalities were observed in other animals. At 20 and 60 mg/kg, multiple red foci or diffuse red areas were macroscopically observed in the lungs. In these lesions, histopathologically, clefts between the mucosal epithelium and basement membrane and necrosis of the alveolar epithelium were observed. Deaths in these groups may have resulted from lung injury. No notable changes were observed in other animals. Therefore, the half-lethal dose of sulfuric acid by intratracheal instillation was estimated as 7–20 mg/kg. The acute toxicity by intratracheal instillation was evaluated with two-fold sensitivity since the exposure at the half-lethal sulfuric acid concentration in inhalation studies was calculated as 43.2 mg/kg.     

Time-course comparison of pulmonary inflammation induced by intratracheal instillation of four different nickel oxide nanoparticles in male Fischer rats

Occupational exposure to nickel oxide (NiO) is an important cause of respiratory tract cancer. Toxicity is known to be associated with the dissociated component, i.e. nickel (II) ions. To address the relationship between physicochemical properties, including solubility in artificial lysosomal fluid, of NiO and time-course changes in the pulmonary response, we conducted an intratracheal instillation study in male Fischer rats using four different well-characterized NiO products, US3352 (NiO A), NovaWireNi01 (NiO B), I small particle (NiO C), and 637130 (NiO D). The NiOs were suspended in purified water and instilled once intratracheally into male F344 rats (12 weeks old) at 0 (vehicle control), 0.67, 2, and 6 mg/kg body weight. The animals were euthanized on days 3, 28, or 91 after instillation, and blood analysis, bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) testing, and histopathological examination were performed. The most soluble product, NiO B, caused the most severe systemic toxicity, leading to a high mortality rate, but the response was transient and surviving animals recovered. The second-most-soluble material, NiO D, and the third, NiO A, caused evident pulmonary inflammation, and the responses persisted for at least 91 days with collagen proliferation. In contrast, NiO C induced barely detectable inflammation in the BALF examination, and no marked changes were noted on histopathology. These results indicate that the early phase toxic potential of NiO products, but not the persistence of pulmonary inflammation, is associated with their solubility.     

Toxicity of Nicotine by Repeated Intratracheal Instillation to F344 Rats

In vivo, nicotine in cigarette smoke induces various effects not only on the respiratory system but also the central and peripheral nerve systems, circulatory organs and digestive organs, and there is a possibility of promotion of lung tumorigenesis. The present experiment was conducted to examine histopathological changes caused by nicotine in the lung with repeated intratracheal instillation (i.t.). Six-week-old male F344 rats were administered nicotine by i.t. at doses of 0.05, 0.1 and 0.2 mg nicotine/rat every 3 weeks beginning at week 4, for up to a total of 9 times and were then sacrificed at week 30. The total number of administrations, total dose of nicotine and effective number of rats were 9 times, 0.45 mg and 5 rats and 4 times, 0.20 mg and 5 rats for the 0.05 mg nicotine/rat group; 3 times, 0.30 mg and 5 rats and 4 times, 0.40 mg and 3 rats for the 0.1 mg group; and 3 times, 0.60 mg and 3 rats for the 0.2 mg group, respectively. As a control group, 5 rats were administered 0.2 ml saline/rat 9 times. Some rats administered 0.1 and 0.2 mg nicotine suffered convulsions just after administration. Histopathologically, though proliferative changes were not observed, neutrophil infiltration, edema and fibrosis in the lung were induced by nicotine. In conclusion, repeated treatment of nicotine promoted neurologic symptoms in the acute phase, and strong inflammation in the lungs in the chronic phase, even at a low dose. Toxicity of nicotine is suggested to depend not on total dose of nicotine in the experiment but rather on repeated injury with consecutive administration.     

穿王消炎粉对LPS诱导大鼠急性肺损伤的治疗作用

【目的】 研究穿王消炎粉对脂多糖(LPS)诱导大鼠急性肺损伤(ALI)的治疗作用。【方法】 将60只SD雄性大鼠随机分入空白组、左氧氟沙星阳性药物对照组、LPS模型组及穿王消炎粉低(1 g/kg体重)、中(2 g/kg体重)、高(4 g/kg体重)剂量组,每组10只。模型组和给药组大鼠经滴鼻法给予LPS(3 mg/kg体重)制备大鼠ALI模型,24 h后,给药组分别灌胃相应浓度的穿王消炎粉,模型组和空白组灌胃相同体积的生理盐水。治疗4 d后处死大鼠,分离血清、固定并冻存肺脏组织。测定各组大鼠肺脏组织湿/干重比;HE染色观察大鼠肺脏组织病理学变化;ELISA法检测血清中白细胞介素-1β(IL-1β)、IL-6含量;采用实时荧光定量PCR和Western blotting法检测肺脏组织中IL-1β、IL-6 mRNA表达水平和蛋白表达量。【结果】 与空白组相比,LPS模型组大鼠出现肺间质壁增厚,肺泡腔内炎性细胞浸润、出血,肺泡结构破坏等肺损伤症状,肺组织的湿/干重比极显著升高(P<0.01),血清中IL-1β、IL-6含量和肺脏组织中IL-1β、IL-6 mRNA表达水平及蛋白表达量均显著增加(P<0.05)。与LPS模型组相比,各给药组大鼠肺间质增宽现象有所改善,肺组织的湿/干重比、血清和肺脏组织中炎性因子IL-1β、IL-6 mRNA表达水平及蛋白表达量均显著降低(P<0.05)。【结论】 穿王消炎粉可有效抑制LPS诱导的急性肺部损伤和炎症程度。     

银杏内酯A对LPS诱导的小鼠急性肺损伤的保护作用

为了研究银杏内酯A对非特异性肺损伤小鼠的保护作用,采用脂多糖（LPS）滴鼻法建立了小鼠急性肺损伤（ALI）模型。于造模前1h给予银杏内酯A（50,100mg/kg）,在LPS滴入后18h检测支气管肺泡灌洗液（BALF）中的细胞因子TNF-α、IL-6、IL-1β水平,观察肺部组织学的病理变化。结果表明：银杏内酯A可以显著抑制肺组织中炎性细胞的浸润,抑制肿瘤坏死因子α（TNF-α）、白细胞介素6（IL-6）和白细胞介素1β（IL-1β）炎性细胞因子的产生。由此得出结论,银杏内酯A对LPS诱导的小鼠ALI具有一定的保护作用。     

Demonstration of inflammatory cell population changes in rat lungs in response to intratracheal instillation of spring wheat dust using lung enzymatic digestion and centrifugal elutriation

The inhalation of grain dust by grain workers is responsible for a large number of pulmonary pathophysiologies. These problems may be acute or chronic and may be mediated by the chronic activation of the immune system. Constant inflammatory states in the lung may eventually lead to tissue damage and respiratory deficit. This study was designed to measure the changes in the relative number of inflammatory cells in peripheral blood, bronchoalveolar spaces, and lung interstitium that occur in response to intratracheally instilled airborne spring wheat dust in rats. It was found that 6h after instillation with dust, neutrophils were present in greater numbers in the blood and bronchoalveolar spaces than in lung interstitium. After 24h, there appeared to be a larger number of neutrophils in the lung interstitium in dust-instilled animals than in saline-instilled controls. These results indicate that intratracheal instillation of grain dust initiates an acute inflammatory reaction, and that there is an initial influx of neutrophils into the air spaces of the lung followed by transit of these cells into the lung interstitium.     

Effect of intratracheal inoculation of Pasteurella haemolytica cytotoxin on the integrity of rat lung.

This study was conducted to investigate the in vivo effect of a single intratracheal inoculation of Pasteurella haemolytica cytotoxin on the rat lung. Changes in the biochemical and cytological composition of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid were used to estimate the magnitude of pulmonary cell injury, inflammatory response, vascular permeability and functional status of pulmonary alveolar macrophages. Effect of treatment was compared with rats intratracheally inoculated with supernatants of Pasteurella multocida or with sterile physiological saline solution (vehicle). Results indicated that Pasteurella haemolytica supernatants were not significantly toxic for the lungs of rats.     

Lung toxicity of a vapor-grown carbon fiber in comparison with a multi-walled carbon nanotube in F344 rats

Carbon fibers have excellent physicochemical and electrical properties. Vapor-grown carbon fibers are a type of carbon fibers that have a multi-walled carbon tube structure with a high aspect ratio. The representative vapor-grown carbon fiber, VGCF^TM-H, is extremely strong and stable and has superior thermal and electrical conductivity. Because some high-aspect-ratio multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) have been reported to have toxic and carcinogenic effects in the lungs of rodents, we performed a 13-week lung toxicity study using VGCF^TM-H in comparison with one of MWCNTs, MWNT-7, in rats. Male and female F344 rats were intratracheally administered VGCF^TM-H at doses of 0.2, 0.4, and 0.8 mg/kg bw or MWNT-7 at doses of 0.4 and 0.8 mg/kg bw once a week for 8 weeks and then up to week 13 without treatment. The lung burden was equivalent in the VGCF^TM-H and MWNT-7 groups; however, the lung weight had increased and the inflammatory and biochemical parameters in the broncho-alveolar lavage fluid and histopathological parameters, including inflammatory cell infiltration, alveolar type II cells proliferation, alveolar fibrosis, pleural fibrosis, lung mesothelium proliferation, and diaphragm fibrosis, were milder in the VGCF^TM-H group than in the MWNT-7 group. In addition, the proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA)-positive index in the visceral and pleural mesothelium was significantly higher in the MWNT-7 group than in the controls, but not in the VGCF^TM-H group. Thus, the results of this study indicate that the lung and pleural toxicities of VGCF^TM-H were less than those of MWNT-7.     

Cytologic and biochemical changes associated with inoculation of amniotic fluid and meconium into lungs of neonatal rats

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of homologous amniotic fluid and meconium inoculated intratracheally into the lungs of neonatal rats. ANIMALS: 153 male 7-day-old Fischer-344 rats. PROCEDURE: Amniotic fluid was obtained by cesarean section from the uterus of pregnant rats and meconium was collected at the time of birth from the gastrointestinal tract of neonatal rats. Neonatal rats were randomly allocated into 5 treatment groups. Two groups received 0.05 ml of saline (0.9% NaCl) solution; the third and fourth groups received 0.05 ml of 50% or 100% amniotic fluid, respectively; the fifth group was inoculated with 0.05 ml of a 20% suspension of meconium. Six or 7 rat pups/group were euthanatized by exsanguination under halothane anesthesia at postinoculation days 1, 3, 7, and 14. The magnitude of injury and inflammatory response was determined by biochemical and cytologic analyses of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid. RESULTS: Inoculation with saline solution and amniotic fluid did not induce pulmonary injury or inflammatory response. Inoculation with meconium induced significant (P < 0.01) injury and inflammatory response, characterized by the release of cytosolic enzymes and recruitment of neutrophils in the lung. CONCLUSIONS: Saline solution is an innocuous vehicle that can be safely used in intratracheal inoculations in neonatal rats. Homologous amniotic fluid, despite containing keratin and epidermal cells, does not cause acute injury or inflammation in the lung. In contrast, meconium acts as a toxic substance injuring respiratory cells and causing a vigorous but transient leukocytic inflammatory reaction in the lungs.     

Evaluation of the Subchronic Toxicity of Dietary Administered Equisetum arvense in F344 Rats

Equisetum arvense, commonly known as the field horsetail, has potential as a new functional food ingredient. However, little information is available on its side effects, and the general toxicity of Equisetum arvense has yet to be examined in detail. In the present study, we evaluated the influence of administration in diet at doses of 0, 0.3, 1 and 3% for 13 weeks in male and female F344 rats. No toxicity was detected with reference to clinical signs, body weight, urinalysis, hematology and serum biochemistry data and organ weights. Microscopic examination revealed no histopathological lesions associated with treatment. In conclusion, the no-observed-adverse-effect level (NOAEL) for Equisetum arvense was determined to be greater than 3% in both sexes of F344 rat (males and females: >1.79 g/kg BW/day and >1.85 g/kg BW/day, respectively) under the conditions of the present study.     

A 13-week subchronic toxicity study of 2-(l-menthoxy)ethanol in F344 rats

2-(l-Menthoxy)ethanol has been frequently employed as a flavoring agent; however, data regarding 2-(l-menthoxy)ethanol toxicity remain limited. We performed a 13-week subchronic toxicity study of 2-(l-menthoxy)ethanol in male and female F344 rats, with doses of 0, 15, 60, or 250 mg/kg body weight (BW)/day orally administered by gavage using corn oil as the vehicle. No significant toxicological changes in general condition, body weight, or food intake were observed in any groups. The hematological assessment showed decreased hemoglobin, hematocrit, mean corpuscular volume, and mean corpuscular hemoglobin and increased platelet count in the male 250 mg/kg group. Serum biochemistry revealed elevated total cholesterol in the 250 mg/kg group of male and female rats, reduced triglyceride in the female 250 mg/kg group, and increased total protein in the male 250 mg/kg group, indicating effects on lipid metabolism and protein synthesis. For organ weights, absolute and relative weights of the liver and adrenal glands were increased in the 250 mg/kg group of both sexes and the male 250 mg/kg group, respectively. Histopathological analysis showed chronic nephropathy in the male 15 mg/kg or higher groups, with increased absolute and relative kidney weights, as well as elevated serum creatinine, in the male 60 and 250 mg/kg groups. However, eosinophilic granules containing α_2u-globulin were identified in proximal tubules, suggesting α_2u-globulin nephropathy specific to male rats and without toxicological significance. These results indicated that the no-observed-adverse-effect level of 2-(l-menthoxy)ethanol was 60 mg/kg BW/day for both sexes.     

Case report of pulmonary metastasis in a male Wistar rat glioblastoma model

Glioblastoma (GBM) is a highly aggressive central nervous system cancer. Its extracranial metastases have rarely been reported in the past few decades. Moreover, the pathogenesis of extracranial GBM metastases remains unclear. Here, we report a case of pulmonary metastasis in a male Wistar rat of C6 GBM model. This reported Wistar male rat was one of the experimental control group without any other intervention except for C6 GBM cells orthotopic implantation. On postoperative day 15, the animal which was reported in this study showed highly cellular, pleomorphic, tumor with nuclear atypia in the brain (Ki67, approximately 65.7%) and lungs (Ki67, 49.5%). Tumor cells in the lung showed immunoreactivity for glial fibrillary acidic protein. Inflammatory CD68⁺ cell infiltration, weakly positive E-cadherin, and strongly positive staining for vimentin were observed both in tumors in the brain and lungs. Based on further morphological analysis, we speculate that the potential metastatic route into the lung might be hematogenous metastasis.     

米尔贝肟大鼠急性中毒的病理学研究

以SD大鼠为研究对象,采用一次性灌胃给药法进行米尔贝肟的急性毒性试验,研究了试验大鼠对米尔贝肟的毒性反应和病理变化.结果显示,米尔贝肟对SD大鼠具有雄雌差异性,半数致死量(LD50)分别为2002、1131 mg/kg·BW.大鼠急性中毒4h后,出现明显的临床症状,主要表现为共济失调、立毛、精神委靡、呼吸困难、食欲减退,且呈明显的量效关系.组织病理学变化主要为肝脏中央静脉淤血,肝索排列紊乱,肝细胞颗粒变性;肺淤血;肾小管上皮细胞和消化道黏膜上皮颗粒变性、坏死;脾脏淤血;大脑皮层血管炎症细胞浸润,边缘空泡化.根据WHO外源性急性毒性分级标准,米尔贝肟属低毒化学物.米尔贝肟急性中毒后会广泛损害大鼠肝、肺、肾和肠等多种组织器官,甚至引起这些组织器官的变性坏死,并可对神经组织造成一定的损伤.     

Dexmedetomidine-induced pulmonary alterations in sheep

Alpha(2) agonist-induced pulmonary oedema in sheep might be related to alterations in pulmonary haemodynamics and/or activation of inflammatory processes. In seven sevoflurane-anaesthetized sheep pulmonary haemodynamics, arterial oxygen tensions, nitric oxide and prostaglandin E(2) concentrations were determined before and after intravenous dexmedetomidine (2microg kg(-1)). In a second trial, lung tissue was sampled for histopathology and quantitative real-time PCR for IL-1beta and iNOS mRNA in a control sheep and 2, 10 and 30min after dexmedetomidine. Computer tomography of the lung under sevoflurane anaesthesia before and after dexmedetomidine was performed. Two minutes after dexmedetomidine mean pulmonary artery pressure, pulmonary arterial occlusion pressure and estimated capillary pressurewere significantly increased to 34.5mmHg, 22.2mmHg and 27.1mmHg, respectively. On computer tomography, lung density increased immediately after dexmedetomidine, with maximal density occurring between 9 and 12min. Histopathology was consistent with vascular congestion followed by protein and erythrocyte extravasation into alveoli. Increased iNOS mRNA levels were detected in sevoflurane anaesthetized animals only. An IL-1beta signal occurred after morphological changes had occurred in lung tissue. These findings support hydrostatic stress as the underlying cause of alpha(2) agonist-induced pulmonary oedema in sheep.     

双氢青蒿素治疗大鼠卡氏肺孢子虫肺炎后的肺脏病理变化观察

为研究经双氢青蒿素治疗后卡氏肺孢子虫肺炎 (PCP)大鼠肺部病理学变化 ,以地塞米松磷酸钠皮下注射 Wistar大鼠建立卡氏肺孢子虫肺炎动物模型 ,用 60 mg/ kg双氢青蒿素治疗实验大鼠 ,杀鼠取肺 ,用光镜和电镜观察肺部病理学变化 ,同时设有感染对照组和正常对照组。结果发现肺印片中卡氏肺孢子虫 (Pc)包囊数目显著减少 ,肺组织炎症明显减轻 ,Pc滋养体表膜和核膜破裂 ,胞质中出现大量空泡和高电子密度颗粒 ,Pc包囊中也出现空泡 ,囊内小体变性坏死。研究结果表明双氢青蒿素可杀死 Pc滋养体和包囊 ,从而减轻肺组织的炎症反应     

Lipopolysaccharide induces expression of collagen VI in the rat lung

The involvement of the lung during the septic systemic inflammatory response elicited by administration of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) was investigated. Eight-week-old male Sprague–Dawley rats were injected i.p. with 15 mg/kg LPS. After 24 h, the lungs were excised to evaluate the cellular responses to LPS. Matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF) analysis revealed that type VI collagen (ColVI) was extremely upregulated during sepsis in the rat lung within the first 24 h of LPS administration. Upregulation of ColVI protein and its mRNA was demonstrated by Western blot analysis, real time PCR, and immunohistochemistry. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report demonstrating the activation of ColVI in the rat lung at the early stage of systemic inflammation. Activation of ColVI might be involved in sepsis-mediated lung fibrosis at an early stage.     

Effects of hypothalamic dopamine on growth hormone‐releasing hormone‐induced growth hormone secretion and thyrotropin‐releasing hormone‐induced prolactin secretion in goats

The aim of the present study was to clarify the effects of hypothalamic dopamine (DA) on the secretion of growth hormone (GH) in goats. The GH‐releasing response to an intravenous (i.v.) injection of GH‐releasing hormone (GHRH, 0.25 μg/kg body weight (BW)) was examined after treatments to augment central DA using carbidopa (carbi, 1 mg/kg BW) and L‐dopa (1 mg/kg BW) in male and female goats under a 16‐h photoperiod (16 h light, 8 h dark) condition. GHRH significantly and rapidly stimulated the release of GH after its i.v. administration to goats (P < 0.05). The carbi and L‐dopa treatments completely suppressed GH‐releasing responses to GHRH in both male and female goats (P < 0.05). The prolactin (PRL)‐releasing response to an i.v. injection of thyrotropin‐releasing hormone (TRH, 1 μg/kg BW) was additionally examined in male goats in this study to confirm modifications to central DA concentrations. The treatments with carbi and L‐dopa significantly reduced TRH‐induced PRL release in goats (P < 0.05). These results demonstrated that hypothalamic DA was involved in the regulatory mechanisms of GH, as well as PRL secretion in goats.     

气管给药法检测甲醛对小鼠肺组织氧化损伤的研究

为观察由甲醛引起的小鼠肺组织氧化损伤，采用气管给药法将不同剂量的液态甲醛通过气管直接给药，连续染毒处死后，摘取小鼠肺组织，测定肺表面活性物质相关蛋白A（SP-A）含量、肺组织SOD活力以及MDA含量；制作肺组织HE染色切片，观察小鼠肺组织病理变化。结果表明，高、低剂量组的SP-A含量及肺组织SOD活力均显著低于生理盐水对照组（P〈0.05），高、低剂量组的肺组织MDA含量均显著高于生理盐水对照组（P〈0.05）；光镜下观察可见高、低剂量组的肺泡间质细胞增多，且炎症细胞增多，发生炎性浸润。综上提示，甲醛可引起小鼠肺组织氧化损伤。     

Pulmonary dysfunction in neonatal calves after intratracheal inoculation of small volumes of fluid

Intratracheal instillation of 20 ml of room temperature (21 to 24 C) fluid in anesthetized neonatal calves resulted in rapid onset of reversible pulmonary dysfunction. Arterial O2 tension and dynamic compliance decreased, whereas pulmonary arterial pressure, pulmonary vascular resistance, alveolar arterial O2 difference, and total pulmonary resistance increased from base-line values. Abnormalities of gas exchange and pulmonary mechanics were induced by intratracheal fluid instillation whether or not Pasteurella haemolytica was in the inoculum. Physical manipulation of the calf without intratracheal fluid instillation (sham inoculation) did not influence pulmonary function. Bilateral vagotomy eliminated the increase in pulmonary resistance and the decrease in dynamic compliance, but did not eliminate hypoxemia, increased alveolar arterial O2 difference, or pulmonary hypertension recorded after intratracheal fluid instillation. Seemingly, changes in pulmonary mechanics are mediated via the vagus nerve. However, one or more additional mechanisms must be responsible for the hypoxemia and pulmonary hypertension.