Tohoku J. Exp. Med., 2021 September, 255(1)

Toxicological Effects of Artificial Fine Particulate Matter in Rats through Induction of Oxidative Stress and Inflammation

Zhicong Hong,^1,2,3, Peiji Zeng,³ Guoshun Zhuang,⁴ Qiaoling Guo^1,2,3 and Chengfu Cai^3,5,6

¹Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Medical College, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, China
²Xiamen Key Laboratory of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Xiamen, Fujian, China
³The School of Clinical Medicine, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian, China
⁴Center for Atmospheric Chemistry Study, Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
⁵Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Zhongshan Hospital of Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, China
⁶Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, China

Airborne fine particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter equal to or smaller than 2.5 μm (abbreviated as PM_2.5) increases the risk of nasal lesions, but the underlying molecular mechanism has not been fully elucidated. In the atmosphere, the composition of PM_2.5 collected varies in physical and chemical properties, which affects its damage to human health. Thus, we constructed artificial PM_2.5 particles based on actual PM_2.5 and investigated the in vivo effects of artificial PM_2.5 exposure on the oxidative stress, inflammatory response, and nasal mucosa morphology of rats. The results showed that artificial PM_2.5 is comparable in composition ratio, size, and morphology to actual PM_2.5. This in vivo study indicated that artificial PM_2.5 exposure reduces total superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase activities, elevates malondialdehyde content in the nasal mucosa, and induces increased levels of pro-inflammatory mediators, including interleukin-1, interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor-α. Our data shows that artificial PM_2.5 particles could be used for experimental study of PM_2.5 toxicology, ensuring that the physical and chemical properties of experimental PM_2.5 are relatively constant and allowing for repeatability of this research. Oxidative damage and inflammatory response may be the toxic mechanisms that cause nasal lesions after exposure to artificial PM_2.5.

Keywords —— glutathione peroxidase; interleukin-1; PM_2.5; total superoxide dismutase; tumor necrosis factor-α

© 2021 Tohoku University Medical Press

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Tohoku J. Exp. Med 2021, 255, 19-25.

Correspondence: Chengfu Cai, Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Zhongshan Hospital Xiamen University, No.201-209 Hubinnan Road, Siming District, Xiamen, Fujian 361004, China.

e-mail: yscc96@126.com