Activation of T cells by dendritic cells exposed to a reference sensitizer: Towards a promising model to assess the allergenic potential of chemicals.

Background: Low molecular weight chemicals constitute one of the major causes of occupational allergies. European legislation on chemicals recommends limiting the use of in vivo models for assessing the sensitizing potential of chemicals, and encourages the development of integrated alternative methods. An in vitro mouse model of bone marrow-derived dendritic cells (BMDCs) that showed good accuracy (75%) and sensitivity (69%) has previously been developed to assess the sensitizing potential of chemicals.

Study of potential transfer of aluminum to the brain via the olfactory pathway.

Many employees in the aluminum industry are exposed to a range of aluminum compounds by inhalation, and the presence of ultrafine particles in the workplace has become a concern to occupational health professionals. Some metal salts and metal oxides have been shown to enter the brain through the olfactory route, bypassing the blood-brain barrier, but few studies have examined whether aluminum compounds also use this pathway. In this context, we sought to determine whether aluminum was found in rat olfactory bulbs and whether its transfer depended on physicochemical characteristics such as solubility and granulometry.

Brain Inflammation, Blood Brain Barrier dysfunction and Neuronal Synaptophysin Decrease after Inhalation Exposure to Titanium Dioxide Nano-aerosol in Aging Rats.

Notwithstanding potential neurotoxicity of inhaled titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO NPs), the toxicokinetics and consequences on blood-brain barrier (BBB) function remain poorly characterized. To improve risk assessment, we need to evaluate the impact on BBB under realistic environmental conditions and take into account vulnerability status such as age. 12-13 week and 19-month-old male rats were exposed by inhalation to 10 mg/m of TiO nano-aerosol (6 hrs/day, 5 day/week, for 4 weeks).

Biopersistence and translocation to extrapulmonary organs of titanium dioxide nanoparticles after subacute inhalation exposure to aerosol in adult and elderly rats.

The increasing industrial use of nanoparticles (NPs) has raised concerns about their impact on human health. Since aging and exposure to environmental factors are linked to the risk for developing pathologies, we address the question of TiO NPs toxicokinetics in the context of a realistic occupational exposure. We report the biodistribution of titanium in healthy young adults (12-13-week-old) and in elderly rats (19-month-old) exposed to 10mg/m of a TiO nanostructured aerosol 6h/day, 5days/week for 4 weeks.

Olfactory mucosal necrosis in rats following acute intraperitoneal administration of 1,2-diethylbenzene, 1,2-diacetylbenzene and 2,5-hexanedione.

1,2-Diethylbenzene (1,2-DEB) is used in the manufacture of some plastics. Exposure to 1,2-DEB has been shown to induce peripheral neuropathy in rats. This neurotoxicity is thought to be caused by a metabolite, 1,2-diacetylbenzene (1,2-DAB), a γ-diketone-like compound.