Effects of radon exposure on lung function and metal balance in mice / 中华放射医学与防护杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective:To explore the disturbance of metal element balance in mice after exposure to radon.Methods:Mice were randomly divided into control group, radon exposure of 30 WLM group, 60 WLM group and 120 WLM groups, with 10 mice in each group. After radon exposure with the cumulative dose, the lung function of mice was detected by a non-invasive pulmonary function testing instrument. Mice blood was taken from eyeballs. The lungs, heart, liver, kidney and spleen were also collected. HE staining was used to observe the pathological changes of lung tissue. Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) was used to detect the content of metal elements, including essential trace elements in the body chromium (Cr), molybdenum (Mo), cobalt (Co), selenium (Se), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), manganese (Mn), nickel (Ni), and potentially toxic elements arsenic (As), tin (Sn), lead (Pb), aluminum (Al), mercury (Hg), cadmium (Cd), and silver (Ag).Results:Compared with the control group, lung ventilation function of the radon-exposed mice was decreased, alveolar structure was destroyed, and the contents of pulmonary metal elements Cr, Al, Pb, Sn( F=0.34, 0.66, 3.14, 1.16, P<0.05) and essential trace elements Mn, Cr, Zn, and Mo in the blood were decreased( F=0.65, 1.44, 0.97, 2.08, P<0.05), while the elements of Cu, Mo, Se and As in the lungs were increased( F=1.31, 1.26, 0.81, 2.04, P<0.05), and the element contents in other tissues also fluctuated. Conclusions:Inhalation of a certain cumulative dose of radon can reduce the lung ventilation function of mice and induce lung inflammation, as well reduce the content of essential trace elements in the lung and blood so that the content of metal elements in the body fluctuates.