title: Investigation of fine chalk dust particles' chemical compositions and toxicities on alveolar macrophages in vitro.
abstract: The aim of the study is to investigate chemical compositions of fine chalk dust particles (chalk PM2.5) and examine their adverse effects on alveolar macrophages (AMs) in vitro. Morphologies and element concentrations of individual chalk particles were analyzed by using the quantitative energy-dispersive electron probe X-ray microanalysis (ED-EPMA). The oxidative response of AMs and the potential to generate nitric oxide (NO) by luminol-dependent chemiluminescence (CL) and nitrate reductase method were assessed 4h following the treatment of AMs with differing dosages of fine chalk particles, respectively. Oxidative stress and cytotoxicity elicited by chalk PM2.5 were also examined. The results showed that fine chalk particles were mainly composed of gypsum, calcite, dolomite and a little amount of organic adhesives. Exposure to chalk PM2.5 at 100 μg mL(-1) or 300 μg mL(-1) significantly increased intracellular catalase, malondialdehyde, and NO levels and decreased superoxide dismutase level in AMs, leading to leakage of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and reduction of the cell viability. Furthermore, luminol-dependent CL from respiratory burst in AMs was enhanced. It was suggested that chalk PM2.5 could make oxidative damages on AMs and result in cytotoxicity, being likely attributed to excessive reactive oxygen species or reactive nitrogen species induced by mixture of fine gypsum and calcite/dolomite particles.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Environmental Science, Shanxi University, Taiyuan 030006, China.
authors.forename: Yuexia
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.affiliation: Institute of Environmental Science, Shanxi University, Taiyuan 030006, China.
authors.forename: Zhenhua
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.affiliation: Institute of Environmental Science, Shanxi University, Taiyuan 030006, China.
authors.forename: Ruijin
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: Institute of Environmental Science, Shanxi University, Taiyuan 030006, China. Electronic address: genghong@sxu.edu.cn.
authors.forename: Hong
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Geng
authors.affiliation: Institute of Environmental Science, Shanxi University, Taiyuan 030006, China. Electronic address: dongch958@163.com.
authors.forename: Chuan
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Dong
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002119:Calcium Carbonate / Q000032:analysis* / Q000633:toxicity*; D002133:Calcium Sulfate / Q000032:analysis; D002374:Catalase / Q000378:metabolism; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000187:drug effects; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D004391:Dust / Q000032:analysis; D007770:L-Lactate Dehydrogenase / Q000378:metabolism; D016676:Macrophages, Alveolar / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000378:metabolism; D018384:Oxidative Stress / Q000187:drug effects; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species / Q000378:metabolism; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D004391:Dust; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species; D009569:Nitric Oxide; D007770:L-Lactate Dehydrogenase; D002374:Catalase; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase; D002119:Calcium Carbonate; D002133:Calcium Sulfate
keywords: Alveolar macrophages; Chalk PM(2.5); Chemiluminescence; Cytotoxicity; Oxidative stress