Polyanions protect against the in vitro pulmonary toxicity of polycationicpaint components associated with the Ardystil syndrome

The polycationic paint components of the Acramin F system have led to sever e pulmonary disease in textile printing sprayers in Spain and Algeria (Ardy stil syndrome). In order to elucidate the underlying mechanisms of the toxi city of these nitrogen-containing polymeric paint components, Acramin FWR ( FWR), Acramin FWN (FWN), and Acrafix FHN (FHN), we have studied the effect of coincubation with polyanionic compounds, Sulodexide (heparin-like substa nce), DNA and poly-L-glutamic acid (of different lengths) in different pulm onary cell types. This study shows that the cytotoxicity of the three polyc ationic paint components FWR (a polyurea), FWN (a polyamide-amine), and FHN (a polyamine) is markedly decreased in the presence of the polyanions. It is concluded that the paint components FWR, FWN, and FHN execute their cyto toxicity at least partly by the abundant positive charges these molecules c arry at physiological pH. (C) 2001 Academic Press.