title: Inflammation in induced sputum after aluminium oxide exposure: an experimental chamber study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Workers in aluminium production are exposed to a complex mixture of particles and gases potentially harmful to the airways, among them aluminium oxide (Al2O3). With the use of an exposure chamber, we aimed to examine the effects of short-term controlled exposure to Al2O3 on lung function and inflammatory markers in healthy volunteers.
  
  
  METHODS
  15 men (age 19-31) were exposed in random order to clean air or Al2O3 particles (3.8-4.0 mg/m(3)) for 2 h including 30 min exercise (stationary bike, 75 W). The permissible exposure level (PEL) for Al2O3 by Occupational Safety and Health Administration, USA, is 5 mg/m(3) time weighted average (TWA). Sham and particle exposures were separated by at least 2 weeks. Spirometry was carried out, and induced sputum and blood samples were collected 48 h before and 4 and 24 h after exposure.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Levels of sputum neutrophils (mean (±SEM)) was increased 24 h post-Al2O3 vs pre-Al2O3 exposure (43% (4) vs 31% (4), p=0.01) and the protein level of interleukin (IL)-8 had a 4.8 (0.9)-fold change increase 24 h after exposure (p<0.01). Following Al2O3 exposure, gene signatures in sputum were significantly increased related to several pathways.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The present study suggests that controlled exposure to Al2O3 particles at levels below PEL (TWA) induces airway inflammation in healthy humans marked by elevated neutrophils and elevated IL-8. In addition, increased expression of genes associated with several biological processes was observed in sputum. Interestingly, inhaled Al2O3-induced effects were localised to the airways and not systemic.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway.
authors.forename: Lib
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Sikkeland
authors.affiliation: Center for Environmental Medicine, Asthma and Lung Biology, UNC Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA.
authors.forename: N E
authors.initials: NE
authors.lastname: Alexis
authors.affiliation: Department of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA Curriculum in Toxicology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA.
authors.forename: R C
authors.initials: RC
authors.lastname: Fry
authors.affiliation: Department of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA Curriculum in Toxicology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Martin
authors.affiliation: Section for Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway.
authors.forename: T E
authors.initials: TE
authors.lastname: Danielsen
authors.affiliation: Section for Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Søstrand
authors.affiliation: Institute of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway Department of Respiratory Medicine, Rikshospitalet, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kongerud
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000537:Aluminum Oxide / Q000009:adverse effects*; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000378:metabolism; D015870:Gene Expression; D064368:Healthy Volunteers; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000209:etiology* / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D019570:Inhalation Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects*; D016209:Interleukin-8 / Q000378:metabolism*; D008168:Lung / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D009504:Neutrophils / Q000378:metabolism*; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects; D013147:Spirometry; D013183:Sputum / Q000378:metabolism*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D016209:Interleukin-8; D000537:Aluminum Oxide
keywords: Al2O3; Exposure; Induced sputum; Inflammation; Inhalation Chamber