Acute and Recovery Phase Effects of Diesel Exhaust Particles on Lung and Brain in Mice

Abstract Air pollution is recognized as a risk factor for neurodegenerative diseases, but the effects of acute exposure and subsequent recovery from traffic-related air pollution remain unclear. This study aimed to investigate the acute and recovery effects of diesel exhaust particle (DEP) exposure...

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Main Authors: Hsiao-Chi Chuang, Hsin-Chang Chen, Lo-Yao Lee, Kuen-Yuh Wu, Ta-Fu Chen, Tsun-Jen Cheng
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Springer 2025-06-01
Series:Aerosol and Air Quality Research
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1007/s44408-025-00033-x
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author Hsiao-Chi Chuang
Hsin-Chang Chen
Lo-Yao Lee
Kuen-Yuh Wu
Ta-Fu Chen
Tsun-Jen Cheng
author_facet Hsiao-Chi Chuang
Hsin-Chang Chen
Lo-Yao Lee
Kuen-Yuh Wu
Ta-Fu Chen
Tsun-Jen Cheng
author_sort Hsiao-Chi Chuang
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Air pollution is recognized as a risk factor for neurodegenerative diseases, but the effects of acute exposure and subsequent recovery from traffic-related air pollution remain unclear. This study aimed to investigate the acute and recovery effects of diesel exhaust particle (DEP) exposure on central nervous system (CNS) toxicity. Six-week-old female C57BL/6NCrl mice received oropharyngeal aspiration of either 0 (vehicle control) or 50 µg/mouse of DEP twice a week for 3 weeks, with the acute group euthanized in week 4, and the recovery group undergoing behavioral tests in weeks 4 and 15 before being euthanized in week 16. DEP deposition in the lungs was estimated using the multiple-path particle dosimetry (MPPD) model, revealing 16.58% deposition, with 12.03% in the alveolar region, and clearance taking over 95 days. Mononuclear cell infiltration and DEP-laden macrophages were observed in lung tissues of both groups. Behavioral tests showed no significant differences between control and DEP groups in step-through latency, escape latency, quadrant area crossing time, or swimming velocity. Lipid peroxidation, indicated by malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, was significantly higher in the cerebellum and hippocampus of the acute exposure group (p < 0.05). Acute DEP exposure also significantly elevated Tau and p-Tau levels in the cortex (p < 0.05), but no significant changes were observed in the cerebellum and hippocampus. Histological analysis showed no significant pathological changes in the brain regions examined. The findings underscore the need for further research into the prolonged effects of DEP exposure and highlight the importance of addressing traffic-related air pollution to protect respiratory and neurological health. Graphical Abstract
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spelling doaj-art-08e5459cd03e43c59e49a2ad68859bf72025-08-20T04:01:53ZengSpringerAerosol and Air Quality Research1680-85842071-14092025-06-0125711010.1007/s44408-025-00033-xAcute and Recovery Phase Effects of Diesel Exhaust Particles on Lung and Brain in MiceHsiao-Chi Chuang0Hsin-Chang Chen1Lo-Yao Lee2Kuen-Yuh Wu3Ta-Fu Chen4Tsun-Jen Cheng5School of Respiratory Therapy, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical UniversityDepartment of Chemistry, Tunghai UniversityInstitute of Environmental and Occupational Health Science, College of Public Health, National Taiwan UniversityInstitute of Environmental and Occupational Health Science, College of Public Health, National Taiwan UniversityDepartment of Neurology, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital, National Taiwan UniversityInstitute of Environmental and Occupational Health Science, College of Public Health, National Taiwan UniversityAbstract Air pollution is recognized as a risk factor for neurodegenerative diseases, but the effects of acute exposure and subsequent recovery from traffic-related air pollution remain unclear. This study aimed to investigate the acute and recovery effects of diesel exhaust particle (DEP) exposure on central nervous system (CNS) toxicity. Six-week-old female C57BL/6NCrl mice received oropharyngeal aspiration of either 0 (vehicle control) or 50 µg/mouse of DEP twice a week for 3 weeks, with the acute group euthanized in week 4, and the recovery group undergoing behavioral tests in weeks 4 and 15 before being euthanized in week 16. DEP deposition in the lungs was estimated using the multiple-path particle dosimetry (MPPD) model, revealing 16.58% deposition, with 12.03% in the alveolar region, and clearance taking over 95 days. Mononuclear cell infiltration and DEP-laden macrophages were observed in lung tissues of both groups. Behavioral tests showed no significant differences between control and DEP groups in step-through latency, escape latency, quadrant area crossing time, or swimming velocity. Lipid peroxidation, indicated by malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, was significantly higher in the cerebellum and hippocampus of the acute exposure group (p < 0.05). Acute DEP exposure also significantly elevated Tau and p-Tau levels in the cortex (p < 0.05), but no significant changes were observed in the cerebellum and hippocampus. Histological analysis showed no significant pathological changes in the brain regions examined. The findings underscore the need for further research into the prolonged effects of DEP exposure and highlight the importance of addressing traffic-related air pollution to protect respiratory and neurological health. Graphical Abstracthttps://doi.org/10.1007/s44408-025-00033-xAir pollutionCentral nervous systemInflammationLipid peroxidationParticulate matterNeurotoxicity
spellingShingle Hsiao-Chi Chuang
Hsin-Chang Chen
Lo-Yao Lee
Kuen-Yuh Wu
Ta-Fu Chen
Tsun-Jen Cheng
Acute and Recovery Phase Effects of Diesel Exhaust Particles on Lung and Brain in Mice
Aerosol and Air Quality Research
Air pollution
Central nervous system
Inflammation
Lipid peroxidation
Particulate matter
Neurotoxicity
title Acute and Recovery Phase Effects of Diesel Exhaust Particles on Lung and Brain in Mice
title_full Acute and Recovery Phase Effects of Diesel Exhaust Particles on Lung and Brain in Mice
title_fullStr Acute and Recovery Phase Effects of Diesel Exhaust Particles on Lung and Brain in Mice
title_full_unstemmed Acute and Recovery Phase Effects of Diesel Exhaust Particles on Lung and Brain in Mice
title_short Acute and Recovery Phase Effects of Diesel Exhaust Particles on Lung and Brain in Mice
title_sort acute and recovery phase effects of diesel exhaust particles on lung and brain in mice
topic Air pollution
Central nervous system
Inflammation
Lipid peroxidation
Particulate matter
Neurotoxicity
url https://doi.org/10.1007/s44408-025-00033-x
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