Abstract
Particles of high T c superconducting materials (HTS) are cytotoxic to alveolar macrophages (AM) in vitro reflected by loss of viability, release of cytosolic and lysosomal enzymes, and the appearance of large “lamellar bodies” within the cells. Pretreatment of HTS particles with Dipalmitoyl-lecithin (DPL) reduces their cytotoxicity, no lamellar bodies are seen. With untreated HTS particles lactate dehydrogenase is released into the culture medium and the total enzyme activity is reduced. These effects are also lacking after pretreatment with DPL. HTS particles induce the release of Tumor Necrosis Factor (TNF) by AM and the production of a chemoattractant factor for granulocytes, monocytes and AM. However, HTS completely inhibit the chemotactic mobility of AM. After phagocytosis, HTS particles disintegrate and the copper content in the medium increases. EDXA shows that the very fine residual granules within the lysosomes contain only copper. The fate of the other ions is not clear. For the general cytotoxic effects, dissolved copper ions seem to be the most important, the influence upon mobility and chemotactic factor release can be explained by the rare earth components of the HTS. However, like barium, they do not induce TNF-production. These results strongly suggest that inhaled HTS particles are potentially toxic.
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