MECHANICAL PROPERTIES AND HISTAMINE AND SEROTONIN CONTENT OF GUINEA PIG LUNGS AS INFLUENCED BY MICROPARTICLES INHALATION.

Abstract

In previous experiments, the inhalation of aluminum or iron oxide submicronic particles was shown to possess strong constricting properties, using the method of volume-pressure curves with atelectatic guinea pig lung. The constricting eHect of aluini1111m was prevented by cyproheptadine, an ailtihistainiilic and antiserotonill substance. In the present experiments, determinations of serotonin and histai-nine in dust-treated lungs were undertaken; the content of serotonin and of histanline was found to be increased after aluini~lum and after iron oxide particle inhalation respectively. Serotonin and histamine given as aerosols to guinea pigs reprodt~ced the characteristic volume-pressure curves obtained after aluminum or iron oxide n~icroparticle inhalation, respectively.