Bronchoalveolar lavage analysis following a subacute inhalation of various man-made mineral fibres in rats

In a biopersistance study, Wistar rats inhaled three types of mineral fibres, i.e. glass fibres B-01/0.9; stone wool MMVF 21 (...); and ceramic fibres RCF 1 (...). Glass speres (...) were used as a negative control. After exposure, the animals were sacrificed at various dates and the lungs were analysed for fibre retention, deep lung clearance and lung histological alterations. In addition to these parameters, bronchoalveolar lavage was used as a suitable tool to estimate the biological effects of the various test substances on lungs. Lactic dehydrogenase, total protein, gamma-glutamyl transferase and glutathione titres were analysed in the lavage fluid on days 3, 17 and 31, repectively, post-exposure. The cellular response was evaluated by differential cell counting. (Abstract truncated)