Subacute Inhalation Exposure of Mice to Ozone Induces Damage to Various Organs

Ambient ozone (O₃) pollution, which has become a global problem, is associated with damage to various biological systems, as determined by many studies. However, there is limited experimental evidence regarding the systemic damage induced by O₃ exposure, and there are few associated studies on mice. In the present investigation, we constructed a subacute C57BL/6J female mouse model involving exposure to 0, 0.5, 1, or 2 ppm O₃ for 28 days (3 h/day). Body weights, pulmonary function, hematology, serum biochemistry, inflammatory factors, and injuries to various organs were assessed for O₃-exposed mice. After O₃ exposure, especially to 2 ppm O₃, mice showed a loss of body weight, abnormal glucose and lipid metabolism, respiratory and nervous system injuries, an inflammatory response, and pathological changes, which supported the data reported for epidemiology studies. In addition, the IL-6 levels in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF), the lungs, the livers, the kidneys, and the brains were increased, which indicated that IL-6 was associated with the damage to various organs induced by O₃ exposure. The present report highlights the pathological injury to various organs and provides a basis for further studies of the molecular mechanisms associated with O₃ exposure.