[Animal modeling] - Establishment and applicability evaluation of animal model for inhalation of atmospheric fine particles

  Objective: To establish an animal model of chronic inhalation injury of atmospheric fine particulate matter (PM2.5) aerosol.

  Methods: PM2.5 aerosol continuous inhalation device was prepared. Observe different concentrations (100 ± 10 μ g/m3、150±10 μ g/m3、200±10 μ G/m3), different time (1 week, 2 weeks, 4 weeks, 8 weeks, 12 weeks), different methods (non exposed intratracheal perfusion method and aerosol inhalation method) and different animals (Wistar rats, BN rats and guinea pigs). Observe the general state of animals and calculate the rate of weight gain and mortality; Pulmonary function was measured including respiratory rate, forced expiratory volume to forced vital capacity ratio (FEV1/FVC) and arterial partial pressure of oxygen (PO2); Count bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) cells for classification; Pathology of trachea and lung was examined by light microscope. The successful model was established based on the pathological observation of pneumonia in trachea and lung tissues, and the influencing factors were determined.

  Results: After inhalation of PM2.5 aerosol at different concentrations for 8 weeks, Wistar rats were poisoned, their weight increased slowly, the total number of white blood cells and mononuclear cells in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) increased, the ratio of macrophages increased, the respiratory rate in pulmonary function indicators increased, and the arterial blood PO2 and FEV1/FVC decreased. Pathology showed that trachea and lung tissues were inflamed and pulmonary fibrosis changed, The changes of inflammation were positively correlated with the concentration of the drug, but the mortality was high at high concentration. The same concentration was inhaled for different durations (1 week, 2 weeks, 4 weeks, 8 weeks and 12 weeks). The pathological changes of trachea and lung tissues of Wistar rats exposed to the same concentration were significant from 8 weeks to 12 weeks, but there was no difference between them. Different methods (non exposed endotracheal perfusion method and aerosol inhalation method) were used to inhale Wistar rats for 8 weeks, and the two methods had the same toxic effect, but the mortality of animals inhaled was low. Wistar rats, BN rats and guinea pigs were inhaled continuously for 8 weeks. The effects of the three animals were similar, but the mortality of Wistar rats was low.

  Conclusion: The inhalation concentration of Wistar rats is 150 ± 10 μ A suitable animal model of PM2.5 induced organism damage can be established with a PM2.5 aerosol of g/m3 for 8 consecutive weeks to study and prepare a pathogenic environment similar to that of PM2.5 injured organism. It is the first to establish a model that is suitable for a large range of animals in China and has the characteristics of Fujian Province, and will promote the development of research on prevention and treatment measures of PM2.5.