Trimellitic anhydride (TMA) dust induces airway obstruction and eosinophilia in non-sensitized guinea pigs.

Trimellitic anhydride (TMA) causes asthma after a latency period of sensitization. In non-sensitized humans and animals, limited studies indicate that TMA exposure may also cause symptoms of asthma without a latency period. Our previous studies (J.

Trimellitic anhydride-induced cellular infiltration into Guinea pig lung varies with age but not gender.

Background: In humans the incidence of asthma changes with age and gender. Immature guinea pigs have been used to model the allergic response to the occupational allergen trimellitic anhydride (TMA) where exposure to adults is paramount. We hypothesized that the TMA-induced allergic response in immature guinea pigs was similar to mature animals, regardless of gender.