Acute Toxicity in the Rat Lung Induced by Intratracheal Instillation of Glycolic Acid

Background/Aim: Inhalation toxicity tests of glycolic acid, which is used in many household products, have been reported, but the pulmonary toxicity of glycolic acid has not been confirmed. Here, the lung damage caused by glycolic acid was investigated in rats. Materials and Methods: An intratracheal instillation test was performed with glycolic acid in male rats. Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) and histopathological analysis were conducted to identify the pulmonary toxicities. Results: Intratracheal instillation of glycolic acid caused weight loss in animals and increased the content of lactate dehydrogenase, total protein, polymorphonuclear neutrophils, and inflammatory cytokines in BALF. In addition, pulmonary edema, alveolar/interstitial inflammation, and necrosis and desquamation of bronchial/bronchiolar epithelia were confirmed via histopathological examination. Conclusion: Exposure to glycolic acid can be harmful and toxic to the lungs.