Uranyl Nitrate Induced Histological Changes in Lung Tissue

Abstract

Abstract-Uranium is a naturally occurring radioactive material present everywhere in the environment. It is toxic because of its chemical or radioactive properties. Uranium enters environment mainly from mines and industry and cause threat to human health by accumulating in lungs as a result of inhalation. In our previous study, we have shown the effectiveness of antioxidant system response to the oxidative stress induced by Uranyl Nitrate (UN) in rat lung tissue. In the current study, uranium toxicity was evaluated in rat lung epithelial cells. The study shows uranium nitrate induces significant oxidative stress in rat lung epithelial cells followed by decrease in the antioxidant potential of the cells. Treatment with Uranyl Nitrate to rat lung epithelial cells was attributed to loss of total glutathione, thus the results indicate the ineffectiveness of antioxidant system's response to the oxidative stress induced by uranium in the cells. Histological study show slight degenerative changes in lung, pulmonary edema; hemorrhage; emphysema; inflammation of the bronchi; alveoli and alveolar interstices; edematous alveoli; lung lesions; minimal pulmonary hyaline fibrosis and pulmonary fibrosis.