CULTURED AIRWAY EPITHELIUM RESPONSES TO MINERAL PARTICLES - ROLE OF THE OXIDATIVE STRESS

We tested the hypothesis according to which mineral particles containi ng iron would be able to produce cytotoxic-ROS. We approached this pro blem in vitro using primary cultures of rabbit tracheal epithelial cel ls. The oxidizing power of three mineral particles, i.e. nemalite, chr ysotile and hematite, has been evaluated for their capacity to induce lipid peroxidation, and to activate intra-cellular anti-oxidant enzyme s. The results show that nemalite and chrysotile which contain Fe2+ ha ve a strong oxidizing power, inducing an oxidative stress on airway ep ithelial cells, whereas hematite, the Fe3+ containing particles, is wi thout effect.