title: Silica dioxide nanoparticles combined with cold exposure induce stronger systemic inflammatory response.
abstract: Growing concern has been raised over the potential hazard of nanoparticles (NPs) on human health from ambient particulate air pollution. Silicon dioxide (SiO2) NPs are one of the most widely used nanoparticles in many sectors of industry. Research on NPs has focused mainly on their toxicity in organs. Meanwhile, NPs are present in the air year-round, but are more serious in winter. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate the inflammatory response to SiO2NPs using in vivo test systems. The composition of particulate matter is complicated; however, elemental silicon accounts for a significant proportion. Cold exposure can induce many kinds of systemic reactions. Thus, the second aim of this study was also to evaluate the combined effect of NPs and cold exposure on human health. There is little research on the combined effects of nanoparticles and cold on inflammation. Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into four groups: those exposed to SiO2NPs by intratracheal instillation, those exposed to at 4 °C 4 h/day for 4 weeks, a combined SiO2NPs and cold exposure group, and a control group. Inflammatory cell infiltration in the lungs was mainly observed after exposure to SiO2NPs or cold. Hematoxylin and eosin staining revealed that inflammation of the lungs was more serious in the combined group. In the white adipose tissue and brown adipose tissue of the combined groups, the mRNA expressions of pro-inflammatory cytokines were upregulated. In conclusion, SiO2NPs combined with cold exposure induced a stronger systemic inflammatory response, accompanied by more serious health hazards.
authors.affiliation: Tianjin Institute of Health and Environmental Medicine, No.1 DaLi Road, Tianjin, 300050, China.
authors.forename: Yongqiang
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.affiliation: Tianjin Institute of Health and Environmental Medicine, No.1 DaLi Road, Tianjin, 300050, China.
authors.forename: Yangsheng
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.affiliation: Tianjin Institute of Health and Environmental Medicine, No.1 DaLi Road, Tianjin, 300050, China.
authors.forename: Xi
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: Tianjin Institute of Health and Environmental Medicine, No.1 DaLi Road, Tianjin, 300050, China.
authors.forename: Li
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.affiliation: Tianjin No. 254 Hospital, Tianjin, 300142, China.
authors.forename: Wei
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Pan
authors.affiliation: Tianjin Institute of Health and Environmental Medicine, No.1 DaLi Road, Tianjin, 300050, China.
authors.forename: Huili
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Zhu
authors.affiliation: Tianjin Institute of Health and Environmental Medicine, No.1 DaLi Road, Tianjin, 300050, China. zhugexi2003@sina.com.
authors.forename: Zhuge
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Xi
authors.affiliation: Tianjin Institute of Health and Environmental Medicine, No.1 DaLi Road, Tianjin, 300050, China. fengdyd@126.com.
authors.forename: Danfeng
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Yang
mesh_terms: D000393:Air Pollutants / Q000737:chemistry / Q000633:toxicity*; D000818:Animals; D003080:Cold Temperature; D016207:Cytokines / Q000097:blood / Q000235:genetics; D015870:Gene Expression / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D019570:Inhalation Exposure; D008168:Lung / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D053758:Nanoparticles / Q000737:chemistry / Q000633:toxicity*; D052638:Particulate Matter / Q000737:chemistry / Q000633:toxicity*; D011014:Pneumonia / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000209:etiology* / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D012822:Silicon Dioxide / Q000737:chemistry / Q000633:toxicity*
chemical_list: D000393:Air Pollutants; D016207:Cytokines; D052638:Particulate Matter; D012822:Silicon Dioxide
keywords: Brown adipose tissue; Cold exposure; Inflammation; Lung; Nanoparticles; SiO2; White adipose tissue