Guo Huizhen, Zhang Zhewen, Wang Huiling, Ma Haitao, Hu Fengjing, Zhang Wenwen, Liu Yang, Huang Yushan, Zeng Yong, Li Chengyun, Wang Junling
Department of Toxicology, School of Public Health, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, Gansu, China.
School of Basic Medical Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, Gansu, China.
Environ Toxicol. 2021 Jan;36(1):95-104. doi: 10.1002/tox.23015. Epub 2020 Aug 28.
Low molecular weight-Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (LMW-PAHs) are ubiquitous environmental pollutants, which may contribute to respiratory diseases. However, studies of the relative mechanisms are limited. This study aimed to explore the effects of two LMW-PAHs [phenanthrene (Phe) and fluorene (Flu)], separately and as binary PAH mixture on oxidative stress and inflammation in A549 cells. Cell viability was firstly detected at various concentrations (200-800 μM) by Phe, Flu, and the mixture of Phe and Flu. ROS level, MDA content, SOD and CAT activities were then determined to evaluate oxidative damage. The protein and mRNA expressions of IL-6, TNF-α, TGF-β, and the protein content of SP-A were further determined to evaluate inflammation. Results showed that Phe, Flu, and their mixture triggered ROS generation and induced abnormal productions of MDA, SOD, and CAT. And the protein and mRNA expressions of TNF-α and IL-6 were increased by Phe, Flu, and their mixture, respectively. In addition, SP-A was also increased by Phe and Flu, while it was decreased by their mixture at 600 μM. The results demonstrated that Phe, Flu, and their mixture could induce oxidative stress and subsequent inflammation in A549 cells, while combined inflammatory response was stronger than single actions.
低分子量多环芳烃（LMW-PAHs）是普遍存在的环境污染物，可能导致呼吸系统疾病。然而，相关机制的研究有限。本研究旨在探讨两种LMW-PAHs [菲（Phe）和芴（Flu）] 单独以及作为二元PAH混合物对A549细胞氧化应激和炎症的影响。首先通过Phe、Flu以及Phe和Flu的混合物在不同浓度（200 - 800 μM）下检测细胞活力。然后测定ROS水平、MDA含量、SOD和CAT活性以评估氧化损伤。进一步测定IL-6、TNF-α、TGF-β的蛋白质和mRNA表达以及SP-A的蛋白质含量以评估炎症。结果表明，Phe、Flu及其混合物引发了ROS生成，并诱导了MDA、SOD和CAT的异常产生。Phe、Flu及其混合物分别增加了TNF-α和IL-6的蛋白质和mRNA表达。此外，Phe和Flu使SP-A增加，而在600 μM时它们的混合物使其降低。结果表明，Phe、Flu及其混合物可诱导A549细胞的氧化应激及随后的炎症，而联合炎症反应比单一作用更强。
