title: Inhalation exposure of gas-metal arc stainless steel welding fume increased atherosclerotic lesions in apolipoprotein E knockout mice.
abstract: Epidemiological studies suggest that welding, a process which generates an aerosol of inhalable gases and metal rich particulates, increases the risk for cardiovascular disease. In this study we analyzed systemic inflammation and atherosclerotic lesions following gas metal arc-stainless steel (GMA-SS) welding fume exposure. Apolipoprotein E knockout (apoE(-/-)) mice, fed a Western diet, were exposed to GMA-SS at 40mg/m(3) for 3h/day for ten days (∼8.26μg daily alveolar deposition). Mice were sacrificed two weeks after exposure and serum chemistry, serum protein profiling and aortic lesion area were determined. There were no significant changes in serum total cholesterol, triglycerides or alanine aminotransferase. Serum levels of uric acid, a potent antioxidant, were decreased perhaps suggesting a reduced capacity to combat systemic oxidative stress. Inflammatory serum proteins interleukin 1 beta (IL-1β) and monocyte chemoattractant protein 3 (MCP-3) were increased two weeks after GMA-SS exposure. Analysis of atherosclerotic plaques showed an increase in lesion area as the result of GMA-SS exposure. In conclusion, GMA-SS exposure showed evidence of systemic inflammation and increased plaque progression in apoE(-/-) mice. These results complement epidemiological and functional human studies that suggest welding may result in adverse cardiovascular effects.
authors.affiliation: Pathology and Physiology Research Branch, Health Effects Laboratory Division, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Morgantown, WV 26505-2888, United States.
authors.forename: Aaron
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Erdely
authors.forename: Tracy
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Hulderman
authors.forename: Rebecca
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Salmen-Muniz
authors.forename: Angie
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Liston
authors.forename: Patti C
authors.initials: PC
authors.lastname: Zeidler-Erdely
authors.forename: Bean T
authors.initials: BT
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Samuel
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Stone
authors.forename: David G
authors.initials: DG
authors.lastname: Frazer
authors.forename: James M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Antonini
authors.forename: Petia P
authors.initials: PP
authors.lastname: Simeonova
mesh_terms: D000395:Air Pollutants, Occupational / Q000009:adverse effects; D000818:Animals; D001057:Apolipoproteins E / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D050197:Atherosclerosis / Q000139:chemically induced*; D054410:Chemokine CCL7 / Q000097:blood; D019570:Inhalation Exposure; D053583:Interleukin-1beta / Q000097:blood; D008168:Lung / Q000187:drug effects; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D018345:Mice, Knockout; D018384:Oxidative Stress / Q000187:drug effects; D013193:Stainless Steel / Q000494:pharmacology; D014896:Welding
chemical_list: D000395:Air Pollutants, Occupational; D001057:Apolipoproteins E; C515451:Ccl7 protein, mouse; D054410:Chemokine CCL7; D053583:Interleukin-1beta; D013193:Stainless Steel