Pulmonary changes and bronchial hyperresponsiveness in rats subjected to acute acrolein exposure

Acrolein is a toxic substance resulting from cigarette smoke and partial combustion of animal fats and vegetable oils, and mainly used in industry for the production of acrylic acid and plastics. The main forms of human exposure to this substance is through cigarette smoke and car exhaust. Its high toxicity is responsible for many adverse health effects, especially changes in the respiratory system. This study aimed to analyze the changes in lung function and hyperresponsiveness of the smooth muscle of the airways of rats, resulting from acute exposure to acrolein. Exposure was by inhalation of acrolein vapor generated by bubbling nitrogen gas (N2) in a 1.5 mL container of liquid acrolein. Albino rats, 200±20 g were divided into control group (C), which was exposed to inhalation of saline vapor for 1 h, acrolein group (A), exposed to acrolein inhalation of vapor generated by bubbling N2. Our results demonstrated changes in all variables, Newtonian resistance (R_N), tissue resistance (G), tissue elastance (H), hysteresis (η) and the estimate of inspiratory capacity (IC), and there was greater hyperresponsiveness in smooth muscle of the airways (∆R_N, ∆G and ∆H). Our findings reinforce the harmful nature of exposure to acrolein to health.