Inhalation exposure of rats to metal aerosol. II. Study of mutagenic effect on alveolar macrophages

✍ Scribed by Darina Chorvatovičová; Zuzana Kováčiková

• Publisher: John Wiley and Sons
• Year: 1992
• Tongue: English
• Weight: 173 KB
• Volume: 12
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 0260-437X
• DOI: 10.1002/jat.2550120114

✦ Synopsis

Abstract

The effects of inhalation exposure to metal aerosol derived from nickel refinery waste were studied on the frequency of chromosome aberrations in alveolar macrophages in Wistar rats. A 4‐month exposure period resulted in significant (P < 0.01) increases in chromosome aberrations. Relatively high variability without statistical significance was observed after a 4‐week exposure period. Increase in damaged alveolar macrophages with the length of exposure seems to point to the role of pulmonary metal deposits. Comparison of the results with those found after 6 months of exposure in bone marrow cells confirmed that metal particles in nickel refinery waste are genotoxic. Thus, this study indicates that alveolar macrophages are suitable for monitoring the genotoxic potential of hazardous chemicals administered by inhalation.