Research report (Health Effects Institute)
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Res Rep Health Eff Inst · Oct 1989
Influence of experimental pulmonary emphysema on the toxicological effects from inhaled nitrogen dioxide and diesel exhaust.
This project examined the influence of preexisting, experimentally induced pulmonary emphysema on the adverse health effects in rats of chronic inhalation exposure to either nitrogen dioxide or automotive diesel-engine exhaust. Previous reports indicated that humans with chronic lung disease were among those most severely affected by episodic exposures to high concentrations of airborne toxicants. There were no previous reports comparing the effects of chronic inhalation exposure to components of automotive emissions in emphysematous and normal animals. ⋯ Airway fluid indicators of cell damage and oxidant protective mechanisms were increased. Similar effects of nitrogen dioxide exposure were superimposed over the effects of emphysema in emphysematous nitrogen dioxide-exposed rats. Several parameters were affected similarly by nitrogen dioxide exposure and emphysema (for example, increased lung volume), and the combined effects tended to be additive.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)