Impact of acute and subchronic inhalation exposure to PbO nanoparticles on mice

• Published in: Nanotoxicology Vol. 12; no. 4; pp. 290 - 304
• Main Authors: Lebedová, J, Nováková, Z, Večeřa, Z, Buchtová, M, Dumková, J, Dočekal, B, Bláhová, L, Mikuška, P, Míšek, I, Hampl, A, Hilscherová, K
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Taylor & Francis Ltd 01-05-2018
• Subjects: Administration, Inhalation; Animals; Brain; Brain - drug effects; Exposure; Glutathione; Glutathione - metabolism; Inhalation; Inhalation Exposure - adverse effects; Kidney - drug effects; Kidneys; Lead; Lead - administration & dosage; Lead - chemistry; Lead - pharmacokinetics; Lead - toxicity; Lead oxides; Lipid peroxidation; Lipid Peroxidation - drug effects; Liver; Liver - drug effects; Lung - drug effects; Lungs; Male; Mice; Nanoparticles; Nanoparticles - administration & dosage; Nanoparticles - chemistry; Nanoparticles - toxicity; Neurotoxicity; Organs; Oxides - administration & dosage; Oxides - chemistry; Oxides - pharmacokinetics; Oxides - toxicity; Peroxidation; Respiration; Road transportation; Tissue Distribution; Tissues; Nanoparticles; tissue damage; accumulation; subchronic; lead; oxidative stress
• ISSN: 1743-5390; 1743-5404
• DOI: 10.1080/17435390.2018.1438679

Lead nanoparticles (NPs) are released into air from metal processing, road transport or combustion processes. Inhalation exposure is therefore very likely to occur. However, even though the effects of bulk lead are well known, there is limited knowledge regarding impact of Pb NPs inhalation. This study focused on acute and subchronic exposures to lead oxide nanoparticles (PbO NPs). Mice were exposed to PbO NPs in whole body inhalation chambers for 4-72 h in acute experiment (4.05 × 10
PbO NPs/cm
), and for 1-11 weeks in subchronic experiment (3.83 × 10
particles/cm
in lower and 1.93 × 10
particles/cm
in higher exposure group). Presence of NPs was confirmed in all studied organs, including brain, which is very important considering lead neurotoxicity. Lead concentration gradually increased in all tissues depending on the exposure concentration and duration. The most burdened organs were lung and kidney, however liver and brain also showed significant increase of lead concentration during exposure. Histological analysis documented numerous morphological alterations and tissue damage, mainly in lung, but also in liver. Mild pathological changes were observed also in kidney and brain. Levels of glutathione (reduced and oxidized) were modulated mainly in lung in both, acute and subchronic exposures. Increase of lipid peroxidation was observed in kidney after acute exposure. This study characterized impacts of short to longer-term inhalation exposure, proved transport of PbO NPs to secondary organs, documented time and concentration dependent gradual increase of Pb concentration and histopathological damage in tissues.