1981 Volume 16 Issue 4 Pages 239-243
Effect of low concentration ammonium sulfate aerosol on an asthmatic breathing difficulty following inhalation of albumin of the different species (bronchial sensitization) in guinea pigs was investigated. Two experimental groups, the group exposed to the aerosol (0.2 mg/m3, 0.5μ) plus SO2 (0.1 ppm) and the group exposed only to the aerosol (0.2 mg/m3) were prepared. After series of the exposures to the aerosol plus SO2 or aerosol single (2 hours per day, 5 days per week, 38 days), paired exposures to the aerosol (or aerosol plus SO2) and, after 20 minutes, the 1% albumin solution spray were prepared 7 times (3 times per week). For these albumin spray (sensitization), the breathing curves were continuously autorecorded with a body-plethysmograph to ascertain the intensity of the asthmatic respiratory difficulty. Comparison showed that the intensity of the respiratory difficulty were higher in averages when exposed to the aerosol (or aerosol plus SO2) and albumin than when exposed only to the albumin (control group). Additional or synergistic effect of the aerosol and SO2 was not found at this level of the concentration.
Merging with the results previously reported (exposure experiments to 2.0 or 0.4 mg/m3 aerosol), it was shown that the intensity of the respiratory difficulty increased corresponding to the aerosol concentration (dose response relationship).
