Figure 3.
Mechanism of bromine (Br2) inhalation-induced lung injury. Br2 inhalation increases cell hemolysis and necrosis, resulting in elevated free heme in plasma, bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, lung tissue, and elevated HO-1 levels in lung tissue as well. Excessive heme catalyzes the formation of free radicals, resulting in oxidative stress and cellular injury as well as inflammation. This acute lung injury (ALI) increases lung permeability and impairs respiratory function. HO-1: Heme oxygenase-1; ALI: Acute lung injury.