Research Activities

Pulmonary absorption of metals: Influence of lung surfactant components on the bioavailability of inhaled metals

Collaborators

Current summary: Significant absorption of some metals may occur through inhalation, especially under occupational exposure. However, pulmonary exposure to metals is not restricted to workers and substantial levels of some metals may be recovered in indoor air. The pulmonary absorption and toxicity of metal compounds is highly influenced by their solubility in biological fluids. In the alveoli and the terminal bronchiols, metals are subjected to interaction with surfactant which is synthesized by the alveolar type II (ATII) cells and to some extent by bronchiolar Clara cells. Surfactant consists of a mixture of about 90% lipids and 10% proteins. Our research objectives are to estimate: i) how much surfactant components may modulate Cd, Ni, Pb and Hg uptake and toxicity in various lung cells types; ii) to what extent lung cells may adapt to chronic exposure and how compares adaptation mechanisms in different cell phenotypes.

Summary Archive: Current | 2007 | 2006

 

Project Metadata

Study/Sampling Design

Seedlings are grown hydroponically and exposed for a known duration to solutions containing known concentrations of Tl, Se, or As. In different solutions, the concentration of ions that may compete for uptake, e.g., K, are adjusted. At the appropriate time, plant material is harvested, dried, digested and analysed for the trace element being studied. Experimental designs are randomized complete block designs, typically with six different concentrations of the trace element, three concentrations of a potentially competing ion, and five durations of exposure.

Number of projects providing material for study: 0

Location of Field Site(s)
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Human Studies

Outcome or Process Studied
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Exposure Medium, and Metals/Substances Quantified
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Biological Endpoint(s) Monitored
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Biota Studied

Species
durum wheat (Triticum turgidum) and spring canola (Brassica napus)

Metals, etc. Quantified
Tl, Se and Cd

Biological Endpoint(s)
Concentration of trace elements in root and/or shoot tissue

Physical Material(s) Studied

Medium/Media
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Metals, etc. Quantified
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Bibliographic References on-file with Secretariat: No

Data Available: Yes

Data Archived with MITHE-SN: No