The induction of lipid peroxidation during the acute oxidative stress response induced by intratracheal instillation of fine crystalline silica particles in rats.

Crystalline silica (SiO) is an important material for industry but is considered potentially carcinogenic. Inhalation of a crystalline SiO aerosol may contribute to serious lung diseases. Crystalline SiO particles are commonly used as a positive control in toxicity assays of particulate materials (e.g. nanoparticles). Crystalline SiO induces oxidative stress resulting in lipid peroxidation, but the acute oxidative stress response in the lung is not well understood. Lipid peroxidation during the acute stage of oxidative stress after instillation of crystalline SiO into rats was examined by bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) analysis. The levels of 8-iso-prostaglandin F and hydroxyoctadecadienoic acid (HODE) in the BALF were measured using liquid chromatography coupled to quadrupole mass spectrometry. The concentration of the antioxidant protein heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) in the BALF was determined using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Intratracheal instillation of crystalline SiO increased the level of HODE and HO-1 in BALF at 24 h after administration. The levels of HODE and HO-1 returned to baseline at 72 h after instillation. Lactate dehydrogenase leakage was observed only after 1 h instillation. These results suggest that the contribution of oxidative stress to the pulmonary toxicity of crystalline SiO is minimal in the early acute stage after exposure.