Lead nanoparticles (NPs) are released into air from metal processing, road transport or combustion processes. Inhalation exposure is therefore very likely to occur. However, even though the effects of bulk lead are well known, there is limited knowledge regarding impact of Pb NPs inhalation. This study focused on acute and subchronic exposures to lead oxide nanoparticles (PbO NPs). Mice were exposed to PbO NPs in whole body inhalation chambers for 4–72 h in acute experiment (4.05 × 10⁶ PbO NPs/cm³), and for 1–11 weeks in subchronic experiment (3.83 × 10⁵ particles/cm³ in lower and 1.93 × 10⁶ particles/cm³ in higher exposure group). Presence of NPs was confirmed in all studied organs, including brain, which is very important considering lead neurotoxicity. Lead concentration gradually increased in all tissues depending on the exposure concentration and duration. The most burdened organs were lung and kidney, however liver and brain also showed significant increase of lead concentration during exposure. Histological analysis documented numerous morphological alterations and tissue damage, mainly in lung, but also in liver. Mild pathological changes were observed also in kidney and brain. Levels of glutathione (reduced and oxidized) were modulated mainly in lung in both, acute and subchronic exposures. Increase of lipid peroxidation was observed in kidney after acute exposure. This study characterized impacts of short to longer-term inhalation exposure, proved transport of PbO NPs to secondary organs, documented time and concentration dependent gradual increase of Pb concentration and histopathological damage in tissues.

中文翻译：

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急性和亚慢性吸入暴露于PbO纳米颗粒对小鼠的影响

铅纳米颗粒（NPs）通过金属加工，道路运输或燃烧过程释放到空气中。因此，极有可能发生吸入接触。但是，即使大量铅的影响是众所周知的，但有关Pb NP吸入影响的知识仍然有限。这项研究的重点是氧化铅纳米颗粒（PbO NPs）的急性和亚慢性暴露。小鼠暴露于的PbO的NP在全身吸入腔室用于在急性实验4-72 H（4.05×10周^6周的PbO的NP /厘米³），以及用于在亚慢性实验1-11周（3.83×10个⁵颗粒/厘米³在更低，1.93×10 ⁶颗粒/ cm ³在较高暴露水平的人群中）。在包括大脑在内的所有研究器官中均证实了NP的存在，考虑到铅的神经毒性，这非常重要。铅浓度在所有组织中逐渐增加，具体取决于暴露浓度和持续时间。负担最重的器官是肺和肾，但是在暴露期间，肝和脑也显示出铅浓度的显着增加。组织学分析表明许多形态学改变和组织损伤，主要在肺部，在肝脏也是如此。在肾脏和脑部也观察到轻度的病理变化。在急性和亚慢性暴露中，主要在肺中调节谷胱甘肽的水平（还原和氧化）。急性暴露后肾脏中脂质过氧化增加。