Effects of particulate matter from straw burning on lung fibrosis in mice

Abstract Objective To investigate the impacts of particulate matter 2.5 (PM2.5) from straw burning on the acute exacerbation of lung fibrosis in mice and the preventive effects of N-acetylcysteine (NAC). Methods The composition, particle size, and 30-min concentration change in an exposure system of the PM2.5 from straw-burning were determined. Forty C57BL male mice were equally randomized to two groups: bleomycin (BLM)-induced lung fibrosis with an exposure to air (BLM + air) and BLM + PM2.5 groups. On day 7 after receiving intratracheal injection of BLM, mice were exposed to air or PM2.5 in an exposure system for 30 min twice daily and then sacrificed after one-week or four-week exposure (10 mice/group). Mouse survival, lung histopathology, macrophage accumulation in the lung, and pro-inflammatory cytokine levels in alveolar lavage fluid (ALF) were determined. Results PM2.5 from straw burning were mainly composed of organic matter (74.1%); 10.92% of the inorganic matter of the PM2.5 were chloride ion; 4.64% were potassium ion; other components were sulfate, nitrate, and nitrite. Particle size was 10nm–2 μm. Histopathology revealed a greater extent of inflammatory cell infiltration in the lung, widened alveolar septum, and lung fibrosis in the BLM + PM2.5 group than in the BLM + air group and a greater extent of those adverse effects after four-week than after one-week exposure to PM2.5. The BLM + PM2.5 group also showed macrophages containing particular matter and increased pulmonary collagen deposition as the exposure to PM2.5 increased. Interleukin (IL)-6 and TNF-α levels in ALF were significantly higher in the BLM + PM2.5 group than in the BLM + air group ( P  0.05 ) and significantly higher after four-week exposure than after one-week exposure to PM2.5 ( P  0.05 ). TGF-β levels in ALF after four-week exposure were significantly higher in the BLM + PM2.5 group than in the BLM + air group ( P  0.05 ). The levels of IL-6, TNF-α, and TGF-β in peripheral serum were not significantly different in the BLM + PM2.5 and BLM + air groups. Lung hydroxyproline contents increased as the exposure to PM2.5 increased and were significantly higher after four-week than after one-week exposure ( P  = 0.019). Exposure to PM2.5 did not affect the survival of normal mice (100%) but reduced the survival of mice with BLM-induced IPF (30%), whereas NAC extended the survival (70%, vs. BLM + PM2.5, P  = 0.032). Conclusion Exposure of mice with BLM-induced IPF to PM2.5 from straw burning exacerbated lung inflammation and fibrosis and increased mortality; NAC increased the mouse survival, indicating protective effects.