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Updated: Sep 29, 2026
Direct Tracheal Instillation of Solutes into Mouse Lung
Published on: August 29, 2010
Lung lesions induced by intratracheal instillation of vanadium pentoxide powder in rats
Abstract:
To clarify acute toxicity and histopathological changes in the lung after exposure to V2O5 powder, rats (SD, male, n=66) were observed for 4 weeks after an intratracheal administration of V2O5 powder (geometric mean diameter 0.31 microm, geomertic standard deviation sigmag=2.19) at three doses (0.88, 3.0, 13.0 mg/kg body weight). The histopathological lung lesions were developed dose-dependently, and characterized by exudative inflammation, injury of alveolar macrophages, and swelling and mucous degeneration in the broncho-bronchiolar epithelia. Growth rate of the V2O5 powder-instilled rat was also retarded dose-dependently. The V2O5 powder used was composed of not coagulated but well dispersed particles consisting of vanadium pentoxide of more than 99.8% (w/w) with vanadium tetraoxide of less than 0.2%. The V2O5 powder was found to be 8 times more soluble in an artificial biological fluid "Gamble's solution" than in a pure water. From the present findings as well as those from the related literature, it was inferred that the histopathological lesions induced by the intratracheally instilled V2O5 powder are caused not only by the V2O5 particles per se but also by vanadium ions dissolved from the particles into the lung fluid.
Insights
Vanadium pentoxide (V2O5) powder exposure caused lung damage in rats, including inflammation and epithelial changes. These effects were dose-dependent and linked to both V2O5 particles and dissolved vanadium ions.
Area of Science:
- Toxicology
- Environmental Health
- Pulmonary Pathology
Background:
- Vanadium pentoxide (V2O5) is an industrial chemical with potential respiratory toxicity.
- Understanding the specific mechanisms of V2O5-induced lung injury is crucial for occupational safety.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the acute toxicity and histopathological lung changes following intratracheal administration of V2O5 powder in rats.
- To elucidate the role of V2O5 particles and dissolved vanadium ions in causing lung lesions.
Main Methods:
- Male Sprague-Dawley rats (n=66) received intratracheal V2O5 powder at doses of 0.88, 3.0, or 13.0 mg/kg.
- Animals were observed for 4 weeks, with lung tissues examined for histopathological changes.
- V2O5 particle characteristics and solubility in Gamble's solution were analyzed.
Main Results:
- Dose-dependent histopathological lung lesions were observed, including exudative inflammation and epithelial damage.
- Alveolar macrophage injury and broncho-bronchiolar epithelial swelling/mucous degeneration were prominent findings.
- Rat growth rate was significantly retarded in a dose-dependent manner.
Conclusions:
- Intratracheal V2O5 powder induces significant, dose-dependent lung toxicity in rats.
- Lung lesions are attributed to both the V2O5 particles themselves and dissolved vanadium ions.
- Findings highlight the importance of V2O5 particle solubility in biological fluids for toxicity assessment.
