The cytotoxicity of microglass fibers on alveolar macrophages of fischer 344 rats evaluated by cell magnetometry, cytochemisry and morphology

ABSTRACT

<p><b>OBJECTIVES</b>The toxicity of microglass fibers (MG), one of the man-made mineral fibers, has not been sufficiently evaluated. The aim of the current study was to evaluate the cytotoxicity of MGin vitro.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Alveolar macrophages were obtained from the bronchoalveolar lavage of male F344/N rats. The macrophages were exposed to MG at concentrations of 0, 40, 80, 160 and 320 μg/ml. The effects of MG on the macrophages were examined by cell magnetometry, LDH assay and morphological observation.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>In the cell magnetometry experiment, a significant delay of relaxation (the reduction of remanent magnetic field strength) was observed in the cells treated with 160 and 320 μg/ml of MG in a dose-dependent manner. A significant increase in LDH release was also observed in the cells with 160 and 320 μg/ml in a dose-dependent manner. Changes in the cytoskeleton were observed after exposure to MG by immunofluorescent microscopy using an α-tubulin antibody.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The cytotoxicity of MG on alveolar macrophages was demonstrated with cell magnetometry. The mechanism of the toxic effects of MG was related to cytoskeleton damage.</p>