Figure 2

Ge-imogolites induce inflammatory cytokine secretion in rat alveoli 3 d after intra-tracheal instillation. Wistar rats were intra-tracheally instilled with NaCl (controls), 2 mg crocidolite, 0.02 to 2 mg SW and DW Ge-imogolites. Inflammatory cytokines were quantified by ELISA in the BALF after 3 d. BALF (A) IL-1β and (C) IL-6. (B) IL-1β and (D) IL-6 curves obtained from cytokine standards diluted with BALF from NaCl, 2 mg crocidolite, 0.1 mg SW and 0.2 mg DW Ge-imogolite-exposed rats. *P < 0.05 and **P < 0.01 relative to control rats (Dunnett multiple comparisons test between NaCl and Ge-imogolite-treated rats or t-test between NaCl and crocidolite-treated rats, n = 4, means ± SEM).