DNA damage and apoptosis of lung cells induced by phosgene in mice

  Objective   To study formation of pulmonary edema, DNA damage and apoptosis of lung cells induced by phosgene in BALB/C mice.

  Methods   26 mice were randomly divided intonegative group and positive group, 13 mice in each.Mice were exposed to air or phosgene for 5 min in negative and positive group respectively.Dose of phosgene was 11.9 mg/L.After exposed to phosgene for 4 h, all mice were anesthetized and removed for determination lung wet/dry weight ratio, alternation of lung tissue in optical microscope, DNA damage of alveolus type cells by single cell gel electrophoresis and apoptosis of lung cells.

  Results   After exposed, lung wet/dry weight ratio was significantly higher in mice for phosgene vs air (P < 0.05).Lungvisual field under microscope showed edema like changes.The tail lengths, percentage of tail DNA and tail moment significantly increased in alveolus type cells of positive group compared with that of negative group.Signs of DNA laddering were obser ved in lung tissue of positive group.

  Conclusion   P hosgene could cause pulmonary edema in mice, and could induce DNA damage and apoptosis of lung cells.