[Studies on cytotoxicity of man-made mineral fiber to alveolar macrophage].
OBJECTIVE
To compare the difference in cytotoxicity to human alveolar macrophage caused by ten kinds of man-made mineral fiber.


METHODS
Ten kinds of man-made mineral fiber prepared by Japan Fibrous Materials Research Association (JFM) were used with alveolar macrophage extracted from guinea pigs in vitro as the target cells. Changes in the production of O2- and H2O2, levels of glutathione and cellular free calcium ion (Ca2+) in alveolar macrophage were determined.


RESULTS
Most of the 10 kinds of JFM fiber could cause increased production of O2- and H2O2, reduction of levels of glutathione and increase of cellular free calcium ion (Ca2+) in alveolar macrophage, to a extent less than that caused by chrysotile.


CONCLUSIONS
In general, the cytotoxicity of JFM fiber was less than that of chrysotile. Although these mineral fiber could be used as substitutes for asbestos, they still could cause certain harm to human bodies.
Wang
Q
Q
Department of Occupational Health, Beijing Medical University.
Han
C H
CH
Wu
W
W
D000818:Animals; D017632:Asbestos, Serpentine / Q000633:toxicity; D002118:Calcium / Q000378:metabolism; D003574:Cytochrome c Group / Q000378:metabolism; D003602:Cytotoxicity, Immunologic / Q000187:drug effects*; D005978:Glutathione / Q000378:metabolism; D006168:Guinea Pigs; D006861:Hydrogen Peroxide / Q000378:metabolism; D016676:Macrophages, Alveolar / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000276:immunology; D019016:Mineral Fibers / Q000633:toxicity*; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species / Q000378:metabolism
D017632:Asbestos, Serpentine; D003574:Cytochrome c Group; D019016:Mineral Fibers; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species; D006861:Hydrogen Peroxide; D005978:Glutathione; D002118:Calcium