Inhalation toxicology
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Inhalation toxicology · Aug 2013
Induction of cardiac fibrosis and transforming growth factor-β1 by motorcycle exhaust in rats.
Motorcycle exhaust (ME) is a major source of air pollution and a potential health hazard in urban areas where motorcycles are a popular means of transportation. The main objectives of this study were to determine the ability of ME to cause cardiotoxicity in rats and investigate the possible mechanisms of toxicity. Male rats were exposed to 1:10 diluted ME by inhalation 2 h daily and Monday through Friday for 8 weeks. ⋯ The results of reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction studies showed that ME decreased GST-M1 and GST-P1 mRNA expression and increased the expression of proinflammatory cytokine interleukin-1β, hypertrophy marker atrial natriuretic peptide, fibrosis markers type I and III collagen, profibrotic cytokine connective tissue growth factor, and hypertrophy and fibrosis mediator transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1 in the heart. The data of Western blot analysis showed that cardiac TGF-β1 protein was induced by ME. These findings demonstrate that subchronic ME exposure caused hypertrophy and fibrosis, and modulated GST and TGF-β1 expression in rat heart possibly by mechanisms involving oxidative stress and inflammation.
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Inhalation toxicology · Apr 2013
Adenovirus-delivered angiopoietin-1 treatment for phosgene-induced acute lung injury.
Exposure to phosgene can result in an acute lung injury, leading to pulmonary edema and even death. Angiopoietin-1 (Ang1) is a critical factor for vascular stabilization due to its ability to reduce endothelial permeability and inflammation. ⋯ Ang1 has the beneficial effects on phosgene-induced lung injury. The adenovirus-delivered Ang1 may have the potential as a novel approach for the treatment of the acute lung injury caused by phosgene gas inhalation in humans.
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Inhalation toxicology · Mar 2013
Evaluation of effects of repeated sevoflurane exposure on rat testicular tissue and reproductive hormones.
Evaluation of inhalation anesthetics on sperm and reproductive hormones are extremely important. ⋯ Testicular and sperm morphology, and reproductive hormones were affected by chronic exposure to sevoflurane. However, more randomized, controlled, and well-designed clinical studies with larger population are needed to confirm of these results.
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Inhalation toxicology · Feb 2013
Controlled Clinical TrialAcute impact of active and passive electronic cigarette smoking on serum cotinine and lung function.
Electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) are becoming increasingly popular yet their effects on health remain unknown. ⋯ Regarding short-term usage, the studied e-cigarettes generate smaller changes in lung function but similar nicotinergic impact to tobacco cigarettes. Future research should target the health effects of long-term e-cigarette usage, including the effects of nicotine dosage.
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Inhalation toxicology · Oct 2012
Comparative StudyComparison of the effects of e-cigarette vapor and cigarette smoke on indoor air quality.
Electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) have earned considerable attention recently as an alternative to smoking tobacco, but uncertainties about their impact on health and indoor air quality have resulted in proposals for bans on indoor e-cigarette use. ⋯ For all byproducts measured, electronic cigarettes produce very small exposures relative to tobacco cigarettes. The study indicates no apparent risk to human health from e-cigarette emissions based on the compounds analyzed.