Discipline:
Subcategory: Nanoscience
Prathima Prabhu Tumkur - Norfolk State University
Co-Author(s): Tejaswini Ronur Praful, Virupaxi Goornavar, Babu R. L., Prabakaran Ravichandran, and Govindarajan T. Ramesh, Norfolk State University, Norfolk, VA
Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are one of the most promising nanomaterials, attracting large interest towards the industrial applications. The toxic effect and long term exposure to CNTs by the cells is poorly understood, hence in this study, an attempt was made to identify biomarkers by exposing Balb/c mice to aerosolized single wall carbon nanotubes (SWCNT) for 7 consecutive days in a nose-only exposure system. The microscopic studies showed that inhaled SWCNT were homogeneously distributed in the mouse lung. The total number of bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) polymorphonuclear leukocytes recovered from the SWCNT exposed mice 1.2×106 ±0.52 was significantly greater than control mice (5.46×105 ±0.78). Rapid development of pulmonary fibrosis in SWCNT inhaled mice was also confirmed by an increase in the collagen level. The lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) levels were increased nearly 2 fold in SWCNT inhaled mice respectively, as compared to control mice. In addition, exposure of SWCNT to mice showed a significant (p<0.05) reduction of antioxidants; glutathione, superoxide dismutase, catalase activity and induction of oxidants; myloperoxidase, oxidative stress lipid peroxidation product compared to control. Apoptotic related proteins such as caspase-3 and -8 activities were also significantly increased in SWCNT inhaled mice than control. Together, the present study shows that inhaled SWCNT induce an inflammation, fibrosis, alteration of oxidant and antioxidant levels and induction of apoptotic related proteins in the lung tissues to trigger the cell death.
Funder Acknowledgement(s): Norfolk State University for research support under NSF-CREST
Faculty Advisor: Govindarajan T. Ramesh, gtramesh@nsu.edu
Role: Balb/c mice was exposed to aerosolized single wall carbon nanotubes to identify the biomakers. Microscopic Studies were carried out to determine the distribution of inhaled SWCNT in mouse lung. Rapid development of pulmonary fibrosis and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) levels in SWCNT inhaled mice were also investigated. Oxidative stress mechanism on exposure with SWCNT was studied.