Biochemical studies on pulmonary response to inhalation of methylene chloride

Biochemical response to the toxic lung damage induced by inhalation of methylene chloride was studied. Significant increases in protein, hexose, sialic acid, lactate dehydrogenase, acid and alkaline phosphatase content were observed in the cell-free lavage effluents from lungs of exposed rats compared to the control animals. This was interpreted as increased cell damage accompanied by enhanced pulmonary secretions, perhaps of glycoproteins and mucins, as a result of inhalation toxicity.