Robert Sturm1. 1. Brunnleitenweg 41, 5061 Elsbethen, Salzburg, Austria.
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Nanotubes are assumed to contribute to a significant exacerbation of asthma and to enhance the risk of profibrotic effects in lungs being affected by this injury. Therefore, deposition of nanotubes in the lungs of subjects with different ages was subject to a detailed theoretical investigation. METHODS: Nanoparticle deposition was computed by application of well validated stochastic deposition model, including four main deposition forces (Brownian diffusion, inertial impaction, interception, gravitational settling). Nonspherical particle geometry was considered with the help of the aerodynamic diameter concept. Deposition was calculated for particles with diameters adopting values of 1, 10, and 100 nm as well as aspect ratios of 10, 50, and 100. Lungs of subjects with different ages were generated with the help of scaling factors and allometric functions. Inhalation was uniformly supposed to take place under non-strain conditions (sitting breathing conditions). RESULTS: Total deposition of nanotubes is significantly increased with proceeding age, with deposition probability being negatively correlated with particle size (diameter and aspect ratio). Whilst extrathoracic deposition is subject to a slight decrease from infants to adults, bronchial/bronchiolar and alveolar depositions are exponentially increased. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: Due to an increase of nanotube deposition with proceeding age infants and children enjoy a certain protection from excessive particle exposure. This circumstance mostly reprieves their lungs from injuries induced by this sort of particles.
INTRODUCTION: Nanotubes are assumed to contribute to a significant exacerbation of asthma and to enhance the risk of profibrotic effects in lungs being affected by this injury. Therefore, deposition of nanotubes in the lungs of subjects with different ages was subject to a detailed theoretical investigation. METHODS: Nanoparticle deposition was computed by application of well validated stochastic deposition model, including four main deposition forces (Brownian diffusion, inertial impaction, interception, gravitational settling). Nonspherical particle geometry was considered with the help of the aerodynamic diameter concept. Deposition was calculated for particles with diameters adopting values of 1, 10, and 100 nm as well as aspect ratios of 10, 50, and 100. Lungs of subjects with different ages were generated with the help of scaling factors and allometric functions. Inhalation was uniformly supposed to take place under non-strain conditions (sitting breathing conditions). RESULTS: Total deposition of nanotubes is significantly increased with proceeding age, with deposition probability being negatively correlated with particle size (diameter and aspect ratio). Whilst extrathoracic deposition is subject to a slight decrease from infants to adults, bronchial/bronchiolar and alveolar depositions are exponentially increased. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: Due to an increase of nanotube deposition with proceeding age infants and children enjoy a certain protection from excessive particle exposure. This circumstance mostly reprieves their lungs from injuries induced by this sort of particles.
Authors: H Bayram; J L Devalia; R J Sapsford; T Ohtoshi; Y Miyabara; M Sagai; R J Davies Journal: Am J Respir Cell Mol Biol Date: 1998-03 Impact factor: 6.914
Authors: Ken Donaldson; Robert Aitken; Lang Tran; Vicki Stone; Rodger Duffin; Gavin Forrest; Andrew Alexander Journal: Toxicol Sci Date: 2006-02-16 Impact factor: 4.849
Authors: Leah A Mitchell; Jun Gao; Randy Vander Wal; Andrew Gigliotti; Scott W Burchiel; Jacob D McDonald Journal: Toxicol Sci Date: 2007-07-28 Impact factor: 4.849
Authors: Craig A Poland; Rodger Duffin; Ian Kinloch; Andrew Maynard; William A H Wallace; Anthony Seaton; Vicki Stone; Simon Brown; William Macnee; Ken Donaldson Journal: Nat Nanotechnol Date: 2008-05-20 Impact factor: 39.213