Korean J Anat.  2007 Jun;40(2):147-162.

Morphological Study of Respiratory Portion of Mouse Lung following Chemical Glue-Vapor Inhalation

• Hong JC
• Ahn ET
• Ko JS
• Park DK
• Park KH

Abstract

Industrial glues contain many kinds of organic solvents and glue sniffing by young people has become a social problem in Korea. Glue vapor may induce chronic toxicities different from those induced by exposures to the solvent of single component. We studied the effects of the inhalation of glue vapor on the primary target organ, the pulmonary epithelium of the respiratory system. Vapor samples of glue were collected for analysis; the components were acetone, n-hexane, methyl cyclopentane, c-hexane, and toluene. For the inhalation of glue vapor, experimental mice were exposed in a whole body chamber for 20 min/d for 3, 5, 7, and 14 d. Control groups were exposed to room air. Animals were euthanized and lung tissues were fixed in 10% neutral formalin for light microscopy, and in 2.5% glutaraldehyde plus 1.5% paraformaldehyde for electron microscopy. The results are as follows. 1. Alcianophilic bands were not detected in the normal alveolar epithelium, but weak alcianophilic bands were detected in bronchioles. Alcian blue-PAS and PAS positive cells were found in the mucosae of mice exposed to glue vapor for 5 and 7 d. 2. Types I and II pneumocytes and capillary endothelial cells were found in the normal alveolar epithelium. The blood-air barrier consists of Type I pneumocytes, a common basal lamina, and the capillary endothelium. 3. The alveolar epithelium of vapor-exposed mice showed more type II pneumocytes. In the longerexposed group, Type I pneumocytes and endothelial cells contained many pinocytotic vesicles. 4. The vapor-exposed lungs showed macrophages in the alveolar space, mild interstitial swelling, and increased numbers of collagenous fibers. Clearly, ultrastructural changes in pulmonary epithelia can occur following glue sniffing.

Keyword

Inhalation of glue vapor; Organic solvents; Toxicological insult; Pulmonary mucosa; Ultrastructural morphology

MeSH Terms

Acetone
Adhesives
Animals
Basement Membrane
Blood-Air Barrier
Bronchioles
Collagen
Cyclopentanes
Endothelial Cells
Endothelium, Vascular
Epithelium
Formaldehyde
Glutaral
Inhalant Abuse
Inhalation*
Korea
Lung*
Macrophages
Mice*
Microscopy
Microscopy, Electron
Mucous Membrane
Pneumocytes
Respiratory System
Social Problems
Solvents
Toluene
Acetone
Adhesives
Collagen
Cyclopentanes
Formaldehyde
Glutaral
Solvents
Toluene