Pulmonary toxicity and gene expression changes in response to whole-body inhalation exposure to multi-walled carbon nanotubes in rats.

To investigate the molecular mechanisms underlying the pulmonary toxicity induced by exposure to one form of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT-7). Rats were exposed, by whole-body inhalation, to air or an aerosol containing MWCNT-7 particles at target cumulative doses (concentration x time) ranging from 22.5 to 180 (mg/m)h over a three-day (6 hours/day) period and toxicity and global gene expression profiles were determined in the lungs.

Tobacco Smoke Exposure Exacerbated Crystalline Silica-Induced Lung Toxicity in Rats.

Smoking may modify the lung response to silica exposure including cancer and silicosis. Nevertheless, the precise role of exposure to tobacco smoke (TS) on the lung response to crystalline silica (CS) exposure and the underlying mechanisms need further clarification. The objectives of the present study were to determine the role of TS on lung response to CS exposure and the underlying mechanism(s).