title: Effect of fly ash inhalation on biochemical and histomorphological changes in rat lungs.
abstract: Effect of respirable fly ash particles inhalation on lungs of rats was investigated by exposing them to respirable aerosols of size classified power plant fly ash at average concentrations of up to 14.4 +/- 1.77 mg/m3 for 4 hr/day for 28 consecutive days. A remarkable increase was found in blood eosinophil counts of fly ash exposed animals. Biochemical indicators of pulmonary damage viz. lactate dehydrogenase (cytoplasmic enzyme used as a measure of cell injury), gamma-glutamyl transferase (Clara cell damage) and alkaline phosphatase (potential measure of Type 11 cell secretions) in broncho alveolar lavage fluid (BALF) of fly ash exposed group showed significant elevation. Clumping of fly ash particles in the lungs was observed as evidenced by fly ash ladened macrophage accumulation in the alveolar region. The results suggest a damage, local inflammation and remodelling of lung as indicated by hypertrophy and hyperplasia. These changes reflect the toxic effects of the fly ash inhalation.
authors.affiliation: Inhalation Toxicology Division, Industrial Toxicology Research Centre, M. G. Marg, Lucknow, India.
authors.forename: V Suresh
authors.initials: VS
authors.lastname: Kumar
authors.forename: U
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Mani
authors.forename: A K
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Prasad
authors.forename: Kewal
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Lal
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Gowri
authors.forename: Abhishek
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Gupta
mesh_terms: D000393:Air Pollutants / Q000633:toxicity; D000818:Animals; D001992:Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid / Q000737:chemistry / Q000166:cytology; D002244:Carbon / Q000633:toxicity*; D060729:Coal Ash; D008168:Lung / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D052638:Particulate Matter; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar
chemical_list: D000393:Air Pollutants; D060729:Coal Ash; D052638:Particulate Matter; D002244:Carbon