TY - JOUR T1 - Biodistribution of engineered hematite nanoparticles in healthy and asthmatic mice JF - European Respiratory Journal JO - Eur Respir J VL - 42 IS - Suppl 57 SP - P4253 AU - Åsa Gustafsson AU - Ulrika Bergström AU - Lina Ågren AU - Lars Österlund AU - Anders Bucht Y1 - 2013/09/01 UR - http://erj.ersjournals.com/content/42/Suppl_57/P4253.abstract N2 - Background: Iron oxide nanomaterials are used in a wide range of green nanotechnology applications, such as solar hydrogen production, solid waste decontamination, and waste water cleaning. During manufacturing there is a risk of inhalation exposure. To date there are few studies of biodistribution following inhalation of hematite nanoparticles (NP) and no such studies are published on sensitive individuals. Aim: The present work aimed to study if biodistribution of hematite NP differs between healthy mice and mice with an allergic airway inflammation. Method: Radioactive [55/59Fe]-hematite NP (primary diameter 20nm) was given by intratracheal lung instillation to healthy mice and mice with an allergic airway inflammation induced by the experimental allergen ovalbumin. Biodistribution was monitored with liquid scintillation and whole-body autoradiography (WBA) at 1, 7 and 14 days after exposure, respectively. Results: Our data demonstrate translocation towards lymphoid organs; draining mediastinal lymph nodes, thymus, spleen and other organs such as bone marrow, liver, and brain. Tissue levels were fairly stable or decreased over time. However, within the brain the levels were observed to increase over time, and WBA indicates a regional distribution within the brain. Our preliminary data do not indicate major differences in biodistribution between healthy mice and mice with an ongoing airway inflammation. Conclusions: These data demonstrate that exposure to hematite NP via inhalation is a route of entry to secondary organs and highlight a need for further delineation of their biodistribution after inhalation of hematite NP and assessment of detrimental health effects including neurological effects. ER -