RELEASE OF ALDEHYDES FROM RAT ALVEOLAR MACROPHAGES EXPOSED IN-VITRO TO LOW CONCENTRATIONS OF NITROGEN-DIOXIDE

This study demonstrated that aldehydes are released into the extracell ular medium when alveolar macrophages (AM) are exposed to nitrogen dio xide (NO2) at concentrations that impair cell function but do not caus e cell death. Butanal, glycolaldehyde, 4-hydroxynonenal, pentanal, pen tenal, and hexanal were found. Dinitrophenylhydrazine (DNP) derivitiza tion, thin layer chromatography, high performance liquid chromatograph y, and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry were used to identify the products. Some of the aldehydes have potential toxicity and may be res ponsible, in part, for altered AM function observed following NO2 expo sure.