BIOCHEMICAL RESPONSE OF THE PERITONEAL MUCOSA TO THE IRRITANT ACTION OF FINELY DIVIDED SILICA AND OTHER DUSTS

Abstract

Repeated injection of fluid suspensions of finely divided silica (quartz) into the peritoneal cavity of the rat gave rise to an increase in the concentration of lactate and α-amino nitrogen and to a decrease in the concentration of glucose in the peritoneal exudate. The silica greatly diminished the selective 'permeability' of the peritoneal membranes as evidenced by the retention of injected phenol red in the peritoneal fluid. Silica increased the concentration of trypsin inhibitor in the serum. None of these changes occurred upon repeated injection of suspensions of finely divided carbon or carborundum, or of silicic acid sol. The observations throw light on the fibrogenic action of quartz dust in silicosis.