Effects of nickel oxide on the production of tumor necrosis factor by alveolar macrophages of rats.

To evaluate the effect of green nickel oxide (NiO) on the production of tumor necrosis factor (TNF) by alveolar macrophages, alveolar macrophages were exposed to NiO in vitro and in vivo. For the in vitro study, rats alveolar macrophages were incubated with NiO on a microplate for 24 h. TNF activity in the culture supernatant was determined by the L929 bioassay. Rats alveolar macrophages cultured with 100 and 200 micrograms/mL of NiO in vitro induced the production of TNF, however, it was not statistically significant compared with the control that was free from NiO exposure. For exposure in vivo, rats were divided into two groups. Five were exposed to a daily concentration of 11.7 +/- 2.0 mg/m3 of NiO for an 8-hr/d, 5 d/wk, for 4 wk, and five rats (control) were kept in a cage and not exposed to NiO. Bronchoalveolar lavage was performed and the recovered alveolar macrophages were incubated on a microplate for 24 h. TNF production by exposed alveolar macrophages was significantly higher than that of controls.