Metal mixture inhalation (Cd-Pb) and its effects on the bronchiolar epithelium. An ultrastructural approach

• Published in: Toxicology and industrial health Vol. 20; no. 1-5; pp. 69 - 75
• Main Authors: Fortoul, Teresa I, Ávila-Costa, Maria-Rosa, Espejel-Maya, Guadalupe, Mussali-Galante, Patricia, del Carmen Ávila-Casado, Maria, Hernández-Serrato, Maria Isidra, Saldivar-Osorio, Liliana
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Thousand Oaks, CA SAGE Publications 01-06-2004; Sage Publications Ltd
• Subjects: Administration, Inhalation; Animals; Bronchi - drug effects; Bronchi - ultrastructure; Cadmium - pharmacokinetics; Cadmium - toxicity; Drug Synergism; Drug Therapy, Combination; Inhalation Exposure; Lead - pharmacokinetics; Lead - toxicity; Lung - drug effects; Lung - metabolism; Male; Mice; Mice, Inbred Strains; Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; Respiratory Mucosa - drug effects; Respiratory Mucosa - ultrastructure; Single-Blind Method; Time Factors; scanning electron microscopy; bronchiole; NCBC; inhalation exposure; cadmium; metals; lead; mixtures
• ISSN: 0748-2337; 1477-0393
• DOI: 10.1191/0748233704th196oa

The current study explores the effects of the inhalation of lead (Pb), Cd and its mixture (Pb-Cd) in a mice model, analysing metal concentrations in the lung, and the morphological modifications in the bronchiolar epithelium identified by scanning electron microscopy after eight weeks of inhalation. Our results indicate that metal concentrations in lung were higher compared to controls; however, Pb concentrations drastically decrease in the mixture. This reduction was also observed in the inhalation chamber. The main changes observed in the bronchiole were mostly in the mixture. The modifications were mainly given by Cd alone and in the mixture, with a decreased number of nonciliated bronchiolar cells and an increased number of bundles of dividing cells. The additive effect of Pb-Cd is suggested, as the extensive damage observed was more evident when mice were exposed to the mixture, and the results endured more research in the area of inhaled mixtures.