Abstract
Introduction: There is a growing need to find interventions against the adverse effects of diesel emissions. We tested an antioxidant as a therapeutic intervention against diesel emissions on human bronchial epithelial cells in vitro, and tested the effects of biodiesel as an alternative fuel source.
Methods: 16HBE cells were cultured at air-liquid interface (ALI) and exposed to diesel or biodiesel (coconut oil (CO) and used oil (UO) substitution) emissions. After exposure, the cells were incubated with or without 5mM N-acetylcysteine (NAC) for 24 hours at 37°C. Cell viability and IL-8 secretion were measured.
Results: Exposure to diesel emissions resulted in a significant decrease in cell viability, which was most effectively attenuated by the 20% CO substitution and 5mM NAC intervention. Both 20% CO substituted biodiesel and 5mM intervention were effective in reducing IL-8 secretion.
Conclusions: Coconut oil-substituted biodiesel and NAC treatment may be protective interventions against the adverse effects of diesel emissions.
- Copyright ©the authors 2016