Effects of Ozone on Airway Epithelial Permeability and Ion Transport

摘要

The authors studied the effects of ozone inhalation on the permeability todissolved molecules and the ion transport activity of airway epithelium using in vivo and in vitro techniques. Conscious unrestrained guinea pigs were exposed to 1 part per million (ppm) ozone for three hours in controlled environmental chambers. The rate of appearance in blood of various water-soluble compounds instilled onto the surface of the trachea increased, indicating increased permeability of the airway epithelium. The interpretation was supported by the observation of horseradish peroxidase in the intercellular spaces of the tracheal epithelium from ozone-exposed, but not air-exposed (control), animals. However, when the tracheas were excised after ozone exposure and mounted in a tissue bath before measurement of permeability, no increase was found. When the authors exposed animals to 1 ppm for three hours daily, the increased permeability observed in vivo was no longer demonstrable after the fourth exposure, suggesting that 'adaptation' had occurred. Ozone exposure caused a sharp increase in active ion transport by tracheal epithelium. This is probably due to increased absorption of sodium ion because it was inhibited by 30 micromolar amiloride. The increased transport was observed in excised tissues and was present in tracheas removed from animals up to three days after a single exposure.