Cell response in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid after exposure to sulfur dioxide: a time-response study.
Bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) has been performed in 22 healthy nonsmoking male volunteers after exposure to 8 ppm SO2 (20 mg/m3). The exposure level exceeds the US Short-Term Exposure Limit (STEL) of 5 ppm, but occurs as peak exposures in industrial indoor environments. Exposures were made during light work on a bicycle ergometer in an environmental exposure chamber for 20 min. BAL was performed 2 wk or more before exposure and 4, 8, 24, and 72 h after exposure in eight subjects at each time interval. Four hours after exposure significant increases were found in the numbers of lysozyme-positive macrophages, lymphocytes, and mast cells (p less than 0.02 to 0.05). Lymphocytes, lysozyme-positive macrophages, total count of alveolar macrophages, and total cell number increased to peak values 24 h after exposure (p less than 0.02 to 0.05). Seventy-two hours after exposure the cell numbers and distribution had returned to normal. The time course of the cell reactions found in BAL fluid after controlled SO2 exposure represents a new and previously not reported response to a noxious gas.
Sandström
T
T
Department of Lung Medicine, University Hospital, Umeå, Sweden.
Stjernberg
N
N
Andersson
M C
MC
Kolmodin-Hedman
B
B
Lundgren
R
R
Rosenhall
L
L
Angström
T
T
D000328:Adult; D001980:Bronchi / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology; D001992:Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid / Q000166:cytology*; D001999:Bronchoscopy; D002452:Cell Count; D006801:Humans; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000473:pathology; D008264:Macrophages / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008407:Mast Cells / Q000473:pathology; D009000:Monocytes / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D009113:Muramidase / Q000378:metabolism; D013458:Sulfur Dioxide / Q000009:adverse effects*; D013997:Time Factors
D013458:Sulfur Dioxide; D009113:Muramidase