Abstract
An experimental apparatus for exposure of sulfuric acid aerosol to animals was developed for the present study. Changes of lipid peroxides and their related-factors in lungs of rats and changes of superoxide (O2-) production ability in alveolar macrophages of rats exposed intermittently to 10 mg/m3 of sulfuric acid aerosol (mass mediandiameter=0.7μm) using the newly developed apparatus were examined.
Lipid peroxide levels in lungs of rats exposed to sulfuric acid aerosol were decreased significantly. On the other hand, activities of glutathione peroxidases and glutathione S-transferase in rat lungs were increased. Nonprotein sulfhydryl levels in rat lungs were increased significantly, although vitamins C and E levels did not increase. Superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity in rat lungs was increased significantly. This increment suggests that the O2- production in rat lungs was increased by the exposure. But, the ability of O2- production by alveolar macrophages of rats was decreased significantly.
These results suggest that the sulfuric acid may concern in the decrements of resistance to lung infections.
