Assessment of cyto- and pulmonary toxicity of lead oxide nanoparticles following chronic inhalation exposure: An experimental study

Introduction. We have found no studies of pulmonary toxicity of lead oxide nanoparticles (PbO NPs) following chronic inhalation exposure in the world scientific literature.

Materials and methods. Chronic inhalation exposure to lead oxide nanoparticles in rats sized 18.2±4.2 nm in the concentration of 0.215 mg/m³ for 4 hours a day, five times a week during 4 months was modeled using a “nose only” exposure chamber. After exposure cessation, we measured cytological and biochemical indices of the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, performed histomorphological analysis of the lungs, and tested the external respiration function in the rodents.

Results. The response in the lower respiratory tract induced by inhalation exposure to PbO NPs was manifested by a compensatory increase in the number of neutrophils and neutrophils to alveolar macrophage ratio. We also noted excessive values indicative of the phagocytic and functional activity of the cellular response. The revealed changes in the histological picture of the rat lungs following chronic inhalation exposure to PbO NPs suggest an adverse effect of the latter on the morphology of the lung tissue. In addition, we established pathological changes in the functional indices of external respiration in the animals.

Limitations. Laboratory rats of the same biological species and sex were used for the experiment.

Conclusion. The experimental study revealed cytotoxic effects in the bronchoalveolar lavage, histopathological abnormalities in the lung tissue, and changes in the indices of external respiration in the rats, all reflecting the process of possible pathological structural and functional alterations in the respiratory system.

Compliance with ethical standards. The study was approved by the Ethics Committee of the Yekaterindicesinburg Medical Research Center for Prophylaxis and Health Protection in Industrial Workers (protocol No. 4 dated July 12, 2022).

Contribution:
Sutunkova M.P., Minigalieva I.A. – study conception and design, scientific editing;
Tazhigulova A.V. – data collection and processing, conducting the experiment, writing text;
Bushueva T.V., Obukhova T.Yu. – scientific editing;
Labzova A.K. – data processing, scientific editing;
Petrunina E.M. – data processing, writing text.
All authors are responsible for the integrity of all parts of the manuscript and approval of its final version.

Conflict of interest. The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Acknowledgment. The study had no sponsorship.

Received: June 9, 2025 / Revised: , 2025 / Accepted: September 19, 2025 / Published: October 20, 2025

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