Effect of Particulate Matter (PM) Exposure on Lung Histopathological Feature and IL-1β Level as Inflammatory Indicator in Rats (Rattus norvegicus)

Abstract

Vehicle exhaust gases (emissions) and bushfire contain very small particles pollutants which can be affected on health. Particulate matter (PM) is a very small pollutant, can be inhaled to lower respiratory tract. Chronic PM exposure trigger an inflammatory response to release of endogenous proinflammatory mediators which cause lung tissue damage. Aim of this study to determine the effect of PM (carbon black powder) exposure on lung histopathological feature and IL-1β level in rats (Rattus norvegicus). Method: A true experimental study with post-test only control group design. Thirty five male rats 2-3 months old were divided into 5 groups: Control, P1 (PM 532 mg/m3 for 4 hours), P2 (PM 1064 mg/m3 for 4 hours), P3 (PM 532 mg/m3 for 8 hours), and P4 (PM 1064 mg/m3 for 8 hours). Results: Lung histopathological feature showed significant effect on lung’s damage by Mann-Whitney test (p <0.05). IL-1β levels were no significant effect among exposure rat groups by the Kruskal-Wallis test (p> 0.05). Conclusion: Particulate matter exposure cause chronic lung damage, but not accompanied by increasing IL-1β levels due to a different inflammatory response.