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 effect of aluminum was prevented by cyproheptadine, an antihistaminic and antiserotonin substance. In the present experiments, determinations of serotonin and histamine in dust-treated lungs were undertaken; the content of serotonin and of histamine was found to be increased after aluminum and after iron oxide particle inhalation respectively. Serotonin and histamine given as aerosols to guinea pigs reproduced the characteristic volume–pressure curves obtained after aluminum or iron oxide microparticle inhalation, respectively.