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Nanosized TiO2 caused minor airflow limitation in the murine airways

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Abstract

The use of nanotechnology is increasing exponentially, whereas the possible adverse health effects of engineered nanoparticles (NPs) are so far less known. Standardized mouse bioassay was used to study sensory and pulmonary irritation, airflow limitation, and inflammation potency of nanosized TiO2. Single exposure (0.5 h) to in situ generated TiO2 (primary particle size 20 nm; geometric mean diameters of 91, 113, and 130 nm at mass concentrations of 8, 20, and 30 mg/m3, respectively; crystal phase anatase + brookite (3:1)) caused airflow limitation in the conducting airways at each studied exposure concentration, which was shown as a reduction in expiratory flow, being at the lowest 73% of baseline. The response was not dose dependent. Repeated exposures (altogether 16 h, 1 h/day, 4 days/week for 4 weeks) to TiO2 at mass concentration of 30 mg/m3 caused as intense airflow limitation effect as the single exposures, and the extent of the responses stayed about the same along the exposure days. Sensory irritation was fairly minor. Pulmonary irritation was more pronounced during the latter part of the repeated exposures compared to the single exposures and the beginning of the repeated exposures. Sensory and pulmonary irritation were observed also in the control group, and, therefore, reaction by-products (NO2 and C3H6) may have contributed to the irritation effects. TiO2 NPs accumulated mainly in the pulmonary macrophages, and they did not cause nasal or pulmonary inflammation. In conclusion, the irritation and inflammation potencies of studied TiO2 seemed to be low.

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Acknowledgments

The authors acknowledge the financial support from the Academy of Finland, FinNano program (grants 117924 and 118114). Also the personnel of the National Laboratory Animal Centre, especially senior laboratory technician Minna Törrönen, is acknowledged for technical help, and statistics expert Marja-Leena Hannila from the Statistical services unit at the University of Eastern Finland for the advice on statistics. Søren Thor Larsen and Maria Hammer from the National Research Centre for the Working Environment, Copenhagen are greatly acknowledged for their generous tips on the Notocord program and data handling. The authors thank also MSc Eveliina Repo from Laboratory of Applied Environmental Chemistry, University of Eastern Finland for the help with zeta potential measurements, and maintenance engineer Pentti Willman from the Department of Environmental Science, University of Eastern Finland, for the assistance with OC/EC analysis.

Conflict of interest

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Environmental Science, University of Eastern Finland, P.O. Box 1627, 70211, Kuopio, Finland

    Maija Leppänen, Anne Korpi, Mirella Miettinen, Jani Leskinen, Tiina Torvela, Jorma Jokiniemi & Pertti Pasanen

  2. Finnish Institute of Occupational Health, Unit of Excellence in Immunotoxicology, Topeliuksenkatu 41 a A, 00250, Helsinki, Finland

    Elina M. Rossi & Harri Alenius

  3. Finnish Institute of Occupational Health, Aerosols, Dusts and Metals, Topeliuksenkatu 41 a A, 00250, Helsinki, Finland

    Esa Vanhala

  4. Finnish Institute of Occupational Health, Biological Mechanisms and Prevention of Work-Related Diseases/Immunopathology, Topeliuksenkatu 41 a A, 00250, Helsinki, Finland

    Henrik Wolff

  5. Department of Pathology and Forensic Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, School of Medicine, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Eastern Finland, P.O. Box 1627, 70211, Kuopio, Finland

    Veli-Matti Kosma

  6. Department of Pathology, Kuopio University Hospital, Kuopio, Finland

    Veli-Matti Kosma

  7. Department of Physics and Mathematics, University of Eastern Finland, P.O. Box 1627, 70211, Kuopio, Finland

    Jorma Joutsensaari

  8. VTT, Technical Research Centre of Finland, Fine&Nano Particles, P.O. Box 1000, 02044, Espoo, Finland

    Jorma Jokiniemi

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  1. Maija Leppänen
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  2. Anne Korpi
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  3. Mirella Miettinen
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Correspondence to Maija Leppänen.

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Leppänen, M., Korpi, A., Miettinen, M. et al. Nanosized TiO2 caused minor airflow limitation in the murine airways. Arch Toxicol 85, 827–839 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00204-011-0644-y

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