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Biomedical subjects

L van Bree

Publications and source records attributed to L van Bree.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Pulmonary surfactant subtype metabolism is altered after short-term ozone exposure.

Rats were exposed to 0.8 ppm ozone for 2 or 12 hr. The latter condition resulted in lung damage and inflammation while the former did not. Directly after exposure surfactant was isolated and two morphologically and functionally different surfactant subtypes were obtained by differential centrifugation. Surfactant subtypes isolated from rats exposed to 0.8 ppm ozone for 2 and 12 hr showed an increase in the amount of heavy subtype and a decrease in light subtype. These results suggest that acute ozone exposure of rats can alter surfactant subtype composition. The conversion in vitro of heavy to light subtype was increased in ozone-exposed rats. Degradation of surfactant protein A (SP-A) was observed during in vitro conversion of heavy subtype isolated from ozone-exposed rats. This suggests that oxidation of SP-A may lead to enhanced susceptibility for degradation. The observed effects were more pronounced in rats exposed for 12 hr than those exposed for 2 hr, indicating that proteolytic enzymes from inflammatory cells may aggravate the observed effects. We conclude that extracellular surfactant metabolism is altered by short-term exposures to ozone and that oxidation of SP-A may contribute to the observed alterations.

Animals↗

Dose-effect models for ozone exposure: tool for quantitative risk estimation.

Short-term ozone exposure causes lung function decrements, increased airway reactivity, airway inflammation, increased respiratory symptoms and hospital admissions. Exposure to long-term elevated ozone levels seems to be associated with reduced lung function (aging), increase of respiratory symptoms, exacerbation of asthma, and airway cell and tissue changes. Health risk caused by exposure to ozone has been evaluated mainly in a qualitative way by comparing ozone air quality data with health-based guidelines or standards. A preliminary approach to quantifying health risk from short-term exposure to oxidant air pollution has been taken by expert judgement, describing known or expected effects at specific levels of ozone. For quantitative assessment of the health impact of distinct ozone exposure conditions (acute, repeated daily, chronic) specific exposure-dose-response models are being developed which can be linked to human exposure data. Exposure-(dose-)response models using data from epidemiological, human-clinical and animal toxicity studies are presented.

Air Pollution↗

Attenuation of acute lung injury by ozone inhalation--the effect of low level pre-exposure.

The attenuating influence of a pre-exposure of rats to a low concentration of ozone (O3) for 7 days on a subsequent O3 challenge was investigated. Effects of O3 were quantified by measuring indicators of lung permeability and inflammation in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid. The results suggest that pre-exposure to relatively low levels of O3 produces a diminished permeability response in lower airways of rats upon a following challenge with a higher level of O3. Extrapolated to human exposure situations, these data suggest that health effect evaluation of repeated exposure periods of enhanced O3 levels is rather complex and needs further investigation.

Administration, Inhalation↗

No beneficial effect of N-acetylcysteine treatment on broncho-alveolar lavage fluid variables in acute nitrogen dioxide intoxicated rats.

1. In previous studies a rat inhalation model was developed to investigate the efficacy of treatment in acute NO2 intoxication. 2. N-acetylcysteine (NAC) was administered intravenously to study its effect on biochemical variables in broncho-alveolar lavage fluid in acute NO2 intoxicated rats. It was decided to start the intravenous administration of NAC 24 h before the exposure to NO2 to induce higher intracellular glutathione (GSH) levels in lung cells of NAC-treated rats compared to not NAC-treated rats. Because, on theoretical grounds, the therapeutic effect of NAC may be expected to be especially marked during the first 24 h after exposure, the rats were observed for a period of 24 h and were then killed for investigation. A loading dose of 85 mg kg-1 h-1 or 170 mg kg-1 h-1 was followed by a continuous infusion (until autopsy) with a dose of 225 mg kg-1 24 h-1 or 450 mg kg-1 24 h-1 respectively. 3. Twenty four hours after exposure to 175 ppm NO2 (1 ppm is 1.88 mg m-3) for 10 min, NAC did not reduce the increase of variables in broncho-alveolar lavage fluid which reflect the severity of lung damage. 4. The protein and albumin concentration and the activities of angiotensin converting enzyme and alkaline phosphatase in broncho-alveolar lavage fluid after NO2 exposure were even more increased in the NAC-treated than in the saline-treated rats, but none of the differences was statistically significant. 5. In sham exposed rats no effect of NAC was observed.

Acetylcysteine↗

Development of a rabbit model to investigate the effects of acute nitrogen dioxide intoxication.

1. In previous studies a rat inhalation model was developed to investigate the effects of intervention after acute NO2 exposure. The object of the present study was to investigate whether acute NO2 intoxication induced comparable effects in rabbits as it does in rats. Where the effects of intervention in both species are similar, then the conclusions drawn from these studies may have more relevance for the treatment of man. 2. Biochemical variables in bronchoalveolar lavage and supernatant from lung homogenate, which may be relevant for the evaluation of lung injury and repair, were investigated and compared with histology. 3. After NO2 exposure for 10 min, the pulmonary effects observed became more pronounced with increasing NO2 concentrations (0, 125, 175, 250, 400, 600 or 800 ppm) [1 ppm NO2 is 1.88 mg m-3]. The effects in rabbits were found to be broadly comparable with those in rats. 4. To achieve severe lung injury in rabbits without mortality, enabling investigations of the effects of intervention over several days, exposure to a NO2 concentration of 600 ppm for 10 min was most appropriate, while a concentration of 175 ppm NO2 was needed to attain comparable effects in rats. 5. The repair phase starts later, namely at 3 days after exposure in rats, compared to 5 days in rabbits.

Animals↗

Desferrioxamine treatment reduces histological evidence of lung damage in rats after acute nitrogen dioxide (NO2) intoxication.

1. In previous studies a rat inhalation model was developed to investigate the efficacy of treatment in acute NO2 intoxication. 2. Desferrioxamine was administered intravenously to study its effect on histological alterations in lung tissue in rats after acute NO2 exposure. 3. Twenty four hours after exposure to 175 ppm NO2 for 10 minutes the lung injury observed by light microscopy in the desferrioxamine treated rats was less pronounced than in the saline treated rats. 4. Desferrioxamine appeared to provide more protection with a dose of 100 mg kg-1 24 h-1 than with 200 mg kg-1 24 h-1.

Administration, Inhalation↗

Differences in pulmonary biochemical and inflammatory responses of rats and guinea pigs resulting from daytime or nighttime, single and repeated exposure to ozone.

Rats and guinea pigs were exposed to 0.8 mg ozone (O3)/m3 (approximately 0.4 ppm) for 12 hr during the daytime, 12 hr during the nighttime, or continuously to investigate circadian variation in O3-induced pulmonary toxicity during single and repeated O3 exposures. Biomarkers in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid and lung tissues were measured as indicators of biochemical and inflammatory responses. Nighttime O3 exposure of rats resulted in larger increases of protein, albumin, and inflammatory cells in BAL fluid compared to those after daytime O3 exposure and this daytime-nighttime difference was statistically significant (p < 0.05). Single daytime or nighttime O3 exposure of guinea pigs resulted in comparable increases of BAL fluid proteins and inflammatory cells without a daytime-nighttime difference. Nighttime and continuous O3 exposure of rats for 3 days resulted in comparable increases in lung antioxidant enzyme activities, both of which differed statistically from effects from daytime O3 exposures (p < 0.05). Continuous O3 exposure of guinea pigs for 3 days caused, in general, statistically larger increases in lung tissue parameters compared to nighttime O3 exposures (p < 0.05). These results suggest that the extent of O3-induced acute pulmonary biochemical and inflammatory responses is directly related to the level of physical and respiratory activity. For rats, effects from continuous O3 exposure appear to be controlled by the nighttime, physically active period. In guinea pigs, the comparable responses following daytime or nighttime O3 exposure seem in accordance with their random behavioral daily activity pattern. This study supports the view that physical activity-related increases in inhaled dose significantly enhance the pulmonary O3 responses.

Administration, Inhalation↗

Biochemical and histological alterations in rats after acute nitrogen dioxide intoxication.

1. In previous studies a rat inhalation model was developed to investigate the treatment of acute nitrogen dioxide (NO2) intoxication. 2. Biochemical parameters, which may be important for the evaluation of lung injury and repair, were reviewed and compared with the histology. 3. After exposure to high NO2 concentrations (75 ppm, 125 ppm or 175 for 10 min) the lung injury observed by light microscope was most pronounced after 24 h and became worse with increasing concentration. 4. The most sensitive indicators for lung injury in the broncho-alveolar lavage fluid (BAL) were protein and albumin concentrations, angiotensin converting enzyme activity, beta-glucuronidase activity and the presence of neutrophil leucocytes. The changes observed in these variables were dose-dependent. Following exposure to 175 ppm the protein and albumin concentrations and the angiotensin converting enzyme activity showed a 100-fold increase, while the beta-glucuronidase activity showed a 10-fold increase. 5. Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase and glutathione peroxidase in the supernatant of lung homogenate and gamma-glutamyl transferase activity in BAL are likely to be the most practical parameters for monitoring the phase of repair because their activities were maximal at the moment histological changes were reduced in intensity. 6. Repair was almost complete 7 d following exposure.

Administration, Inhalation↗

Structural and biochemical effects in lungs of Japanese quail following a 1-week exposure to ozone.

The effect of ozone inhalation on birds was investigated. Japanese quail were exposed continuously to 0, 0.3, 1.0, and 3.0 mg/m3 ozone (0, 0.15, 0.50, and 1.50 ppm, respectively) for 7 days. Pulmonary effects were determined by light and electron microscopy as well as by biochemistry. Focal areas of hemorrhages were noticed in the birds exposed to 1.0 mg/m3 ozone. Additional effects after exposure to 1 mg/m3 included loss of cilia in trachea and bronchi, an inflammatory response, and necrosis of air capillary epithelial cells. Following exposure to 3 mg/m3 many atria of tertiary bronchi were completely obstructed by extensive hemorrhages, metaplasia of atrial wall cells, and hypertrophy of smooth muscle cells. Lung biochemistry data revealed that in the 3 mg/m3 group lactate dehydrogenase, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, and glutathione reductase activities were significantly increased. In the 0.3 and 1.0 mg/m3 exposure groups no effects on lung antioxidant enzymes were observed. In conclusion, Japanese quail appear to respond to ozone exposure in a different way than mammals. Since no signs of repair in air capillary epithelium after 7 days of continuous exposure were observed, the quail seems to lack the morphological and biochemical repair ability as is observed in mammals. Therefore, more research of the effects of ozone on birds seems to be necessary, both from a mechanistic and an ecological point of view.

Administration, Inhalation↗

Induction of drug metabolism enzymes by dihalogenated biphenyls.

The effects of pretreatment with symmetrically dihalogenated biphenyls (DXBs, X-F, Cl(C), Br(B) and I) on rat liver drug metabolism enzymes were investigated. 4,4'-DFB, -DCB, and -DBB as well as 2,2'-DFB appeared to be inducers of microsomal cytochrome P-450-linked monoxygenases (N-demethylases of aminopyrine and ethylmorphine). However, no structure-induction relationship was found. 4,4'-DXBs also induced a cytochrome P-448-linked mono-oxygenase (ethoxyresorufin O-deethylase), and their order of induction potential seemed to parallel the increase of the size of the halogen substituent. Therefore, 4,4'-DXB's may be categorized as mixed-type inducers, the cytochrome P-450 component being the more pronounced. Data on the cytochrome P-448 induction by dihalogenated biphenyls with only para substituents may be considered as a refinement of the previously described structure-activity relationship in this respect. All of the DXBs except 3,3'-DCB and 4,4'-DIB, enhanced, like phenobarbital, the activity of UDP-glucuronyltransferase toward 4-hydroxybiphenyl. Only 4,4'-DFB was able to induce the activity of glutathione S-transferase toward 1,2-epoxy-3-(p-nitrophenoxy)propane. Studies after 4,4'-DBB-treatment revealed, like phenobarbital, a preferential induction of ethylmorphine N-demethylase on rough endoplasmic reticulum-derived microsomes, whereas UDP-glucuronyltransferase activity toward 4-hydroxybiphenyl was induced to a larger extent on smooth endoplasmic reticulum microsomes, suggesting a dissimilar enzyme induction in microsomal subfractions.

Animals↗

Impairment of phagocytic functions of alveolar macrophages by hydrogen peroxide.

Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) inhibited phagocytosis and superoxide anion production by rat alveolar macrophages. The inhibition was irreversible and concentration and exposure time dependent. The potential relationship between H2O2-induced biochemical perturbations and impaired alveolar macrophage phagocytic functions was investigated. Alveolar macrophage viability and Fc receptor binding capacity were not affected by H2O2. There was probably no correlation between a H2O2-induced rise in cytosolic [Ca2+] ([Ca2+]i) and the impairment of phagocytosis by alveolar macrophages, as was suggested by the following findings. First, the H2O2-induced rise in [Ca2+]i could be inhibited by chelation of extracellular Ca2+, whereas the H2O2-induced impairment of phagocytosis could not. Second, the H2O2-induced rise in [Ca2+]i was reversible, whereas the impairment of phagocytosis was not. And finally, a rise in [Ca2+]i by incubation of alveolar macrophages with the calcium ionophore A23187 did not affect phagocytosis. Various experiments suggested that ATP depletion may play an important role in the H2O2 toxicity for alveolar macrophages. Comparable concentrations of H2O2 caused an irreversible decrease both in cellular ATP and in phagocytosis and superoxide production by alveolar macrophages. In addition, time course of ATP depletion and induction of impaired alveolar macrophage function were similar. In view of the fact that the strong oxidant H2O2 may react with a large variety of biological substances, possible other toxic lesions may not be excluded as underlying mechanism for H2O2-induced inhibition of phagocytic functions of alveolar macrophages.

Adenosine Diphosphate↗

Study of the effects of ozone in emphysematous rats.

The effects of short-term exposure to ozone on control and elastase-induced emphysematous rats were examined to investigate whether emphysema would change the pulmonary susceptibility to oxidant air pollution. Emphysema was induced in rats after a single intratracheal instillation of 0.2 IU elastase/g body weight. Histologically, panacinar emphysema was apparent at 2, 4, 8, and 16 wk, that is, the total duration of the experiment. The diagnosis was confirmed by morphometry: the mean linear intercepts (MLI) of elastase-treated rats were significantly increased at all observation times, whereas the internal surface areas (ISA) of the elastase-treated rats were significantly decreased. In addition, pulmonary function tests provided supportive evidence for the diagnosis of emphysema. Respiratory system compliance and functional residual capacity showed a significant increase in elastase-treated rats. No differences in inspiratory capacity or in forced vital capacity between control rats and elastase-treated rats were observed. The above data are indicative for a rat model for elastase-induced emphysema. Short-term exposure to ozone of elastase-treated rats revealed panacinar emphysema, including an inflammatory response in the centroacinar region. No differences in MLI as well as in ISA between ozone-exposed rats (with or without emphysema) and their respective controls were observed. Short-term exposure to ozone induced an identical, significant increase in protein content, lactate dehydrogenase, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, and glutathione peroxidase activities in lungs of normal and emphysematous rats. Moreover, these results strongly suggest that emphysematous rats are not more susceptible to ozone than nonemphysematous rats.

Air Pollutants↗

Reduction by acetylsalicylic acid of paracetamol-induced hepatic glutathione depletion in rats treated with 4,4'-dichlorobiphenyl, phenobarbitone and pregnenolone-16-alpha-carbonitrile.

The role of enzyme induction in the reduction by acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) of paracetamol-induced hepatic glutathione (GSH) depletion has been studied in rats. Administration of an overdose of paracetamol to control rats resulted in an appreciable decrease of GSH concentration. Pretreatment with the enzyme inducers phenobarbitone, 3-methylcholanthrene (3-MC), pregnenolone-16-alpha-carbonitrile (PCN) and 4,4'-dichlorobiphenyl (4,4'-DCB) significantly potentiated the paracetamol-induced depletion of GSH. Simultaneous administration of an equimolar dose of ASA resulted in a reduction of the paracetamol-induced depletion of GSH in all instances except for those rats that were not pretreated and those given 3-MC. Benorylate, the ASA ester of paracetamol, depressed rat liver GSH to levels comparable to those produced by the combination of paracetamol and ASA. ASA itself caused only minor changes in liver GSH concentrations. The results demonstrate that ASA causes a diminution of paracetamol-induced GSH depletion in rats with phenobarbitone type of enzyme induction. Inhibition of the formation of the reactive metabolite of paracetamol or reduction of the absorption rate of paracetamol seem to be unlikely as mechanisms underlying the ASA-induced effect. An ASA-mediated effect via changes of the hepatic thiol status is proposed.

Acetaminophen↗

Phosphatidylcholine synthesis in isolated type II pneumocytes from ozone-exposed rats.

Phosphatidylcholine (PC) synthesis by alveolar type II cells, as an indicator for the production of pulmonary surfactant, was studied after a 4-h exposure of rats to 4 mg ozone/m3 (2 ppm). Lung ravage fluid analysis after exposure revealed significant increases in proteins, which is indicative for pulmonary injury. When type II cells were isolated immediately and thereafter cultured for 20 h, the rate of PC synthesis in cells derived from ozone-exposed rats was not significantly different from that in cells from unexposed controls. Yet, a decreased rate of PC synthesis was observed when these cells were subsequently exposed to ozone in vitro. The activity of the enzyme glycerolphosphate acyltransferase (GPAT) was slightly enhanced in cultured type II cells isolated from ozone-exposed rats, while the lysophosphatidylcholine acyltransferase (LPCAT) activity was unchanged. However, ozone exposure of rats did result in a significant decrease of PC synthesis when measured in freshly prepared type II cell suspensions, although both GPAT and LPCAT activities were not affected. It is concluded that a decrease in pulmonary surfactant related PC synthesis after ozone exposure of rats can be demonstrated in freshly isolated type II pneumocytes. Cultured type II cells from exposed rats lack this effect and are therefore less useful to study changes in phospholipid biosynthesis after in vivo ozone exposure. The data on in vitro ozone exposure of cultured type II cells, however, support the view that ozone may impair pulmonary surfactant production.

1-Acylglycerophosphocholine O-Acyltransferase↗

Qualitative and quantitative changes in cytochrome P-450-dependent xenobiotic metabolism in pulmonary microsomes and isolated Clara cell populations derived from ozone-exposed rats.

The effect of a prolonged ozone exposure (1.6 mg ozone/m3; 7 d; 24 h/d) on pulmonary cytochrome P-450-dependent xenobiotic metabolism was studied both in whole rat lung as well as in isolated bronchiolar Clara cell preparations. Ozone exposure was demonstrated to result in significant quantitative but also qualitative changes. All components of the pulmonary microsomal electron transport system appeared to be significantly increased in the lungs of exposed animals both per lung and per gram lung, although increases were no longer observed when expressed per milligram microsomal lung protein. Remarkably, it was demonstrated that the increases in the components of the pulmonary cytochrome P-450 system were not accompanied by a concomitant increase in all cytochrome P-450-dependent substrate conversions. In whole-lung microsomes ethoxycoumarin O-deethylase and ethoxyresorufin O-deethylase activities were unchanged or even significantly reduced when expressed per lung, per gram lung, per milligram microsomal protein, or per picomole cytochrome P-450. In contrast to these observations, pentoxyresorufin O-dealkylation appeared to be significantly increased upon ozone exposure when expressed per lung, per gram lung, and even per picomole cytochrome P-450. Clara cell populations isolated from ozone exposed rats showed a comparable qualitative shift in cytochrome P-450-dependent substrate conversion characteristics. On a cellular basis, ozone exposure resulted in a significant reduction of ethoxycoumarin and ethoxyresorufin O-deethylation and did not affect pentoxyresorufin O-dealkylase activity. Additional experiments, in which ozone-mediated inactivation of microsomal cytochrome P-450-dependent substrate metabolism was studied in vitro, demonstrated that the qualitative changes observed after in vivo exposure cannot be ascribed to a disproportional inactivation of different cytochrome P-450 isoenzymes. Based on these results and on lung morphometrics and cell isolation data presented, the observed effects should rather be ascribed to (1) the proliferation of cytochrome P-450 containing cell populations and (2) intrinsic cellular biochemical changes. The quantitative and qualitative ozone-induced changes in pulmonary cytochrome P-450-linked enzyme characteristics in whole lung and within specific lung cells, as demonstrated in the present study, may be expected to have important implications for the toxicity of xenobiotics whose (de)toxification depends on pulmonary cytochrome P-450-dependent metabolism.

Animals↗

The 3-methylcholanthrene-mimetic effect of 4,4'-dichlorobiphenyl-treatment on phenacetin-induced hepatic glutathione depletion and liver microsomal phenacetin O-deethylation in rats.

Both 4,4'-dichlorobiphenyl (4,4'-DCB) and 3-methylcholanthrene (3-MC) caused a substantial increase of phenacetin-induced hepatic glutathione (GSH) depletion, whereas phenobarbital (PB) had no effect, suggesting that 4,4'-DCB possesses cytochrome P-448 inducing activity. The O-deethylation of phenacetin by liver microsomes from control and PB- and 4,4'-DCB-treated rats showed biphasic Michaelis-Menten kinetics, in contrast to the monophasic course after pretreatment with 3-MC. Hepatic phenacetin levels indicated that in vivo interaction with only a high affinity site is involved in the O-deethylation of phenacetin. 4,4'-DCB and 3-MC caused marked increases in intrinsic clearance and extraction ratio of phenacetin, whereas control values were obtained after PB-treatment. Because of an absence of a spectral change at low phenacetin concentrations, it could not be demonstrated whether the observed differences in metabolism should be ascribed to a change in binding of phenacetin to cytochrome P-450. The results of this study indicate that after pretreatment with various enzyme inducers the phenacetin-induced hepatic GSH depletion strongly correlates with microsomal phenacetin O-deethylation. Further, these findings suggest a discrepancy between 4,4'-DCB and PB in cytochrome P-450 inducing activity, as 4,4'-DCB mimics 3-MC in the induction of phenacetin O-deethylase. The difference between 4,4'-DCB and PB is discussed in relation to the multiplicity and induction of cytochrome P-450 isoenzymes.

Acetaminophen↗