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International audience; The number of workers potentially exposed to nanoparticles (NPs) during industrial processes is increasing, although the toxicological properties of these compounds still need to be fully characterized. As NPs may be aerosolized during industrial processes, inhalation represents their main route of occupational exposure. Here, the short- and long-term pulmonary toxicological properties of titanium dioxide were studied, using conventional and molecular toxicological approaches. Fischer 344 rats were exposed to 10 mg/m3 of a TiO2 nanostructured aerosol (NSA) by nose-only inhalation for 6 h/day, 5 days/week for 4 weeks. Lung samples were collected up to 180 post-exposure days. Biochemical and cytological analyses of bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) showed a strong inflammatory response up to 3 post-exposure days, which decreased overtime. In addition, gene expression profiling revealed overexpression of genes involved in inflammation that was maintained 6 months after the end of exposure (long-term response). Genes involved in oxidative stress and vascular changes were also up-regulated. Long-term response was characterized by persistent altered expression of a number of genes up to 180 post-exposure days, despite the absence of significant histopathological changes. The physiopathological consequences of these changes are not fully understood, but they should raise concerns about the long-term pulmonary effects of inhaled biopersistent NPs such as TiO2.

International audience; Methylethylketone (MEK) is widely used in industry, often in combination with other compounds. Although nontoxic, it can make other chemicals harmful. This study investigates the fate of MEK in rat blood, brain and urine as well as its hepatic metabolism following inhalation over 1 month (at 20, 200 or 1400 ppm). MEK did not significantly accumulate in the organism: blood concentrations were similar after six-hour or 1-month inhalation periods, and brain concentrations only increased slightly after 1 month’s exposure. Urinary excretion, based on the major metabolites, 2,3-butanediols (± and meso forms), accounted for less than 2.4% of the amount inhaled. 2-Butanol, 3-hydroxy-2-butanone and MEK itself were only detectable in urine in the highest concentration conditions investigated, when metabolic saturation occurred. Although MEK exposure did not alter the total cytochrome P450 concentration, it induced activation of both CYP1A2 and CYP2E1 enzymes. In addition, the liver glutathione concentration (reduced and oxidized forms) decreased, as did glutathione S-transferase (GST) activity (at exposure levels over 200 ppm). These metabolic data could be useful for pharmacokinetic model development and/or verification and suggest the ability of MEK to influence the metabolism (and potentiate the toxicity) of other substances.; La méthyléthylcétone (MEK) est largement utilisée dans l'industrie, souvent en combinaison avec d'autres composés. Bien que non toxique, elle peut rendre d'autres produits chimiques nocifs. Cette étude s'est intéressée au devenir de la MEK dans le sang, le cerveau et l'urine ainsi qu'à son métabolisme hépatique chez le rat exposé par inhalation pendant 1 mois à 20, 200 ou 1400 ppm. La MEK ne s'est pas accumulée de manière significative dans l'organisme: les concentrations sanguines mesurées après 6 heures ou 1 mois d'exposition par inhalation étaient similaires, tandis que les concentrations cérébrales n'ont que légèrement augmenté après 1 mois d'exposition. L'excrétion urinaire, par l'intermédiaire du 2,3-butanediol (métabolite principal présent sous les formes ± et méso), représentait moins de 1,3% de la quantité inhalée. Les autres métabolites, le 2-butanol, la 3-hydroxy-2-butanone ainsi que la MEK (sous sa forme inchangée) n'étaient détectable dans l'urine que pour des concentrations atmosphériques élevées au delà desquelles un phénomène de saturation métabolique se met en place. Bien que l'exposition à la MEK n'ait pas modifié la concentration totale en cytochromes P450, les activités enzymatiques des deux isoformes CYP1A2 et CYP2E1 ont été induites. En outre, la concentration en glutathion dans le foie (formes réduite et oxydée) a diminué, tout comme l'activité des glutathion-S-transférases (GST). Ces données métaboliques fournissent une preuve supplémentaire sur la capacité de la MEK à influencer le métabolisme (et potentialiser la toxicité) d'autres substances.