https://doi.org/10.33573/ujoh2025.01.03
1 Zaporizhzhia State Medical and Pharmaceutical University, Zaporizhzhia, Ukraine
2 State Institution «Kundiiev Institute of Occupational Health of the National Academy of Medical Sciences of Ukraine», Kyiv, Ukraine
Full article (PDF), UKR
Introduction.
High-temperature processes such as metal smelting and welding, as well as the mechanical processing of solid materials, generate ultra-fine airborne particles that include nanoscale fractions. These particles vary in size, mass concentration, surface area, and chemical composition. Workers in such environments are exposed to complex industrial aerosols with diverse physicochemical properties, necessitating detailed investigation into their potential health effects.
Aim of the study.
To assess the toxic effects of nanoscale airborne particles collected from the workplace air of a metal smelter on the organism of Wistar rats.
Materials and methods.
A model of chronic exposure to industrial aerosol nanoparticles was developed using Wistar rats. Suspended particles were collected in deionized water at the smelter workplace using a TYPHOON R-20-2 sampler. Particle size distribution was analyzed with a NanoScan SMPS 3910 portable scanning spectrometer (USA), and chemical composition was determined via inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry. Male Wistar rats received intraperitoneal injections of the colloidal suspension five times per week for six weeks. Pathomorphological changes in internal organs were assessed both six weeks into the experiment and six weeks after exposure cessation using Videotest Morphology 5.2.0.158.os software with an Axio Scope A1 microscope (Carl Zeiss, Germany) and Jenoptik Progress Gryphax® SUBRA camera (Germany).
Results.
Significant pathomorphological alterations were observed in the internal organs 12 weeks after the experiments initiation. The most pronounced changes occurred in lung tissue, including emphysematous regions with thickened interalveolar septa and dystrophic bronchial epithelium with cell vacuolization. Inflammatory infiltration of the bronchial submucosa was also noted. In the myocardium, nuclear deformation and vacuolization of cardiomyocytes were evident. Hepatocytes showed marked vacuolization and enlargement, with a heterogeneous, reticulated, and coarse-grained cytoplasm. The spleen exhibited altered white-to-red pulp ratios and reduced lymphocyte counts in white pulp; the red pulp showed pleurisy and hemosiderosis. Progressive degenerative and sclerotic changes were found in the kidneys. The brain showed selective destruction of individual neurons.
The results.
Pronounced pathomorphological changes in the internal organs of animals were determined 12 weeks after the start of the experiment. The greatest changes were characteristic of the lung tissue, which were manifested by the presence of areas of emphysema with thickening of the interalveolar septa. Dystrophic changes were present in the bronchial epithelium, which were manifested by vacuolization of cells, and inflammatory infiltration of the submucosal layer of the bronchus was determined. In the myocardium, inflammatory changes were observed in the form of deformation of cardiomyocyte nuclei with their vacuolization. The structure of the liver was characterized by vacuolization of hepatocytes with an increase in their volume, the cytoplasm of which was heterogeneous, reticular, and large-grained. In the spleen, a violation of the ratio of white and red pulp was observed, a decrease in the number of lymphocytes was determined in the white pulp. In the red pulp, pleurisy was observed with areas of hemosiderosis. Progressive degenerative and sclerotic changes were observed in the kidneys. Changes in the brain took the form of selective destruction of individual neurons.
Conclusions.
The study demonstrated significant morphological alterations in internal organs following exposure to nanoscale suspended particles, indicating a cumulative toxic effect. All examined organs (lungs, heart, brain, liver, spleen, kidneys) exhibited dystrophic, inflammatory, dyscirculatory, and sclerotic changes that may lead to irreversible pathological conditions and functional impairments.
Keywords: toxic effects, nanoscale suspended particles, metal smelting, Wistar rats.
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