Effects of in Vitro Exposure to Chrysotile Particles or Sodium Nitrite on the Production of Eosinophil Chemotactic Substance by Guinea Pig Peritoneal Macrophages

Abstract

Eosinophil infiltration of the bronchus is generally found in allergy cases associated with air pollution. In order to clarify the involvement of macrophages (Mφ) with this symptom, guinea pig peritoneal macrophages were incubated in media with various concentrations of chrysotile particles (CR) or nitrite ion (NO₂^-), and then eosinophil chemotactic activity in the medias and the release of leukotriene B₄ (LTB₄), an eosinophil chemotactic substance, from macrophages were examined. The results were as follows:
1. LTB₄ release from Mφ appeared to be significantly enhanced or repressed by the exposure to CR (0.025-0.5 mg/mL) or NO₂^-(0.134-268 268μM) in dose-dependent manners, respectively.
2. No significant increase or decrease in eosinophil chemotactic activity was shown following exposure to CR or NO₂^-.
3. The amount of LTB₄ released from macrophages exposed to 0.5 mg/mL of CR was esimated to be less than one tenth of the dose reguired to induce eosinophilic chemotaxis.