Murine pulmonary responses after sub-chronic exposure to aluminum oxide-based nanowhiskers

Details

• Personal Author:
  Adamcakova-Dodd A ; Grassian VH ; Kim JS ; O'Shaughnessy PT ; Stebounova LV ; Thorne PS
• Description:
  Background: Aluminum oxide-based nanowhiskers (AO nanowhiskers) have been used in manufacturing processes as catalyst supports, flame retardants, adsorbents, or in ceramic, metal and plastic composite materials. They are classified as high aspect ratio nanomaterials. Our aim was to assess in vivo toxicity of inhaled AO nanowhisker aerosols. Methods: Primary dimensions of AO nanowhiskers specified by manufacturer were 2-4nm x 2800 nm. The aluminum content found in this nanomaterial was 30% [mixed phase material containing Al(OH)3 and AlOOH]. Male mice (C57Bl/6 J) were exposed to AO nanowhiskers for 4 hrs/day, 5 days/wk for 2 or 4 wks in a dynamic whole body exposure chamber. The whiskers were aerosolized with an acoustical dry aerosol generator that included a grounded metal elutriator and a venturi aspirator to enhance deagglomeration. Average concentration of aerosol in the chamber was 3.3+/-0.6 mg/m3 and the mobility diameter was 150+/-1.6nm. Both groups of mice (2 or 4 wks exposure) were necropsied immediately after the last exposure. Aluminum content in the lung, heart, liver, and spleen was determined. Pulmonary toxicity assessment was performed by evaluation of bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid (enumeration of total and differential cells, total protein, activity of lactate dehydrogenase [LDH] and cytokines), blood (total and differential cell counts), lung histopathology and pulmonary mechanics. Results: Following exposure, mean Al content of lungs was 0.25, 8.10 and 15.37 ug/g lung (dry wt) respectively for sham, 2 wk and 4 wk exposure groups. The number of total cells and macrophages in BAL fluid was 2-times higher in animals exposed for 2 wks and 6-times higher in mice exposed for 4 wks, compared to shams (p<0.01, p<0.001, respectively). However no neutrophilic inflammation in BAL fluid was found and neutrophils were below 1% in all groups. No significant differences were found in total protein, activity of LDH, or cytokines levels (IL-6, IFN-, MIP-1a, TNF-a, and MIP-2) between shams and exposed mice. Conclusions: Sub-chronic inhalation exposures to aluminum-oxide based nanowhiskers induced increased lung macrophages, but no inflammatory or toxic responses were observed. [Description provided by NIOSH]
• Subjects:
  Aluminum Compounds Animals Environmental Exposure Hazardous Substances Laboratories Lung Occupational Health Respiratory System Risk Assessment Risk Factors Safety Silver Toxicology Workplace

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• Keywords:
  Author Keywords: Aluminum Cell Function Cellular Effects Cellular Function Cytokines Exposure Levels Health Effects High Aspect Ratio Nanomaterial Humans Inhalation Inhalation Studies Laboratory Animals Lung Tissue Murine Model Nanomaterials Nanoparticles Nanotoxicology Nanowhiskers Proteins Pulmonary Response Risk Factors Silver Compounds Toxic Effects Toxicity Toxins Work Environment Workers

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• ISSN:
  1743-8977
• Document Type:
  Text
• Funding:
  Grant
• Genre:
  Journal Article
• Place as Subject:
  Iowa ; OSHA Region 7
• CIO:
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
• Topic:
  Workplace Safety & Health
• Location:
  North America
• Pages in Document:
  22
• Volume:
  9
• NIOSHTIC Number:
  nn:20048409
• Citation:
  Part Fibre Toxicol 2012 Jun; 9:22
• Contact Point Address:
  Peter S Thorne, Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242
• Email:
  peter-thorne@uiowa.edu
• Federal Fiscal Year:
  2012
• Performing Organization:
  University of Iowa
• Peer Reviewed:
  True
• Start Date:
  20080401
• Source Full Name:
  Particle and Fibre Toxicology
• End Date:
  20120331
• Collection(s):
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha-512:ac8540aef1b18110309566afdd103fe51dbb6a36a91b36350e43ebc68e2ace9a167bba605ae6106a1a9bfab16e3386cdb30ca6ee8253ecf6d7730a4db578b2d4
• Download URL:
  https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/203168/cdc_203168_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 2.81 MB ]