Carcinogenesis, Teratogenesis & Mutagenesis

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Study on phosgene-induced damage of pulmonary mitochondria

LONG Zi1,KONG Deqin2,HAI Chunxu2,*,WANG Xin2,*   

  1. The Thirteenth Company, the Fourth Battalion, First Brigade, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an 710032
  • Received:2014-10-03 Revised:2014-12-25 Online:2015-01-31 Published:2015-01-31

Abstract:

OBJECTIVE: To study the toxicological effects of phosgene on pulmonary mitochondria. METHODS:30 SD rats were randomly divided into two groups,with 15 in each group. The rats in control group were exposed to air. The rats in phosgene group were exposed to 10 g/m3 phosgene for 5 min. Two hours after exposure,pulmonary tissues were collected,HE staining and transmission electron microscope were used to identify histological changes. Activities of mitochondrial complexes were determined. RESULTS:Phosgene induced a significant increase of pulmonary wet/dry ratio. After phosgene poisoning,there were profuse neutrophil infiltration and pulmonary alveoli epithelial cell damage. Mitochondria were notably swollen,and even appeared contracted and dissolved. The number of mitochondria was significantly decreased. Mitochondrial ridge was broken and absent. The activities of mitochondrial complex were significantly reduced. CONCLUSION:Mitochondria were main targets of phosgene poisoning,and the results provided basis for the development of new drugs in the treatment of phosgene poisoning.

Key words: phosgene, acute lung damage, mitochondria, poisoning