Abstract
The measurement of respiratory function and quantitative assessment of changes in lung morphology are described in a long-term study of asbestos-exposed guinea pigs. Resistance and dynamic compliance of the guinea pig respiratory system were measured non-destructively, and the tidal volume and rate of spontaneous breathing were also determined. A point counting technique was used with histological preparations to quantify morphological changes. In one group of control animals, investigated between 3 and 28 months of age, dynamic compliance and tidal volume tended to increase, but resistance and breathing rate tended to decrease, as the animals matured. In contrast the percentage by volume of various lung components remained constant throughout this period. The animals were exposed to chrysotile and amosite aerosols, both aerosols containing high concentrations of short fibres (less than 5 micrometer) and at least 1000 fibres/ml longer than 5 micrometer. The total fibre concentration during chrysotile exposure was probably at least double that during amosite exposure. A gradient of fibre concentration (less than 5 micrometer) was detected along the exposure chamber, but this gradient was not reflected in the respiratory function of animals exposed at different positions along the chamber. These findings are discussed in relation to possible dose-dependence of the response.
Full text
PDF
Selected References
These references are in PubMed. This may not be the complete list of references from this article.
- Airborne asbestos dust evaluation.I. Harness. Ann Occup Hyg. 1973 Dec;16(4):397–404. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Bader M. E., Bader R. A., Teirstein A. S., Miller A., Selikoff I. J. Pulmonary function and radiographic changes in 598 workers with varying duration of exposure to asbestos. Mt Sinai J Med. 1970 Jul-Aug;37(4):492–500. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Becklake M. R., Fournier-Massey G., Rossiter C. E., McDonald J. C. Lung function in chrysotile asbestos mine and mill workers of Quebec. Arch Environ Health. 1972 Jun;24(6):401–409. doi: 10.1080/00039896.1972.10666115. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Eckardt R. E., MacFarland H. N., Alarie Y. C., Busey W. M. The biologic effect from long-term exposure of primates to carbon monoxide. Arch Environ Health. 1972 Dec;25(6):381–387. doi: 10.1080/00039896.1972.10666191. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- HOLT P. F., MILLS J., YOUNG D. K. THE EARLY EFFECTS OF CHRYSOTILE ASBESTOS DUST ON THE RAT LUNG. J Pathol Bacteriol. 1964 Jan;87:15–23. doi: 10.1002/path.1700870103. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Hiett D. M. Tests of ventilatory function for use in long-term animal studies. Br J Ind Med. 1974 Jan;31(1):53–58. doi: 10.1136/oem.31.1.53. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Holt P. F., Mills J., Young D. K. Experimental asbestosis in the guinea-pig. J Pathol Bacteriol. 1966 Jul;92(1):185–195. doi: 10.1002/path.1700920119. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- MacFarland H. N., Ulrich C. E., Martin A., Krumm A., Busey W. M., Alarie Y. Chronic exposure of cynamolgus monkeys to fly ash. Inhaled Part. 1970;1:313–327. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Muldoon B. C., Turner-Warwick M. Lung function studies in asbestos workers. Br J Dis Chest. 1972 Apr;66(2):121–132. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- WAGNER J. C. Asbestosis in experimental animals. Br J Ind Med. 1963 Jan;20:1–12. doi: 10.1136/oem.20.1.1. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]