Dynamics in the content of the cytokines in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid in rats after acute inhalation intoxication by clorine and pyrolysis products, containing hydrogen chloride

It is known that inhalation exposure to chlorine and hydrogen chloride leads to damage to the respiratory system up to the development of acute pulmonary edema in victims. No data on the mechanisms of development of pulmonary edema upon exposure to hydrogen chloride have been found in the available literature. The study was carried out on white outbred male rats, which were divided into 3 groups: Group I — control; Group II — animals were intoxicated with chlorine at a dose of 1.5 median lethal concentration (30 min); Group III — animals were intoxicated with hydrogen chloride at a dose of 1.5 median lethal concentration (30 min). Immediately after exposure to the studied toxicants, as well as after 1, 3 and 6 h, the lung coefficient and the content of cytokines (interleukins-1β, 6, 10 and interferon-γ) in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid were determined in animals. It was revealed that an increase in the lung coefficient (p < 0.05) in animals in groups II and III was accompanied by a significant increase (1.5 times) in the content of the studied cytokines in the bronchial-alveolar lavage fluid compared with animals in group I. III an increase (p < 0.05) in the content of cytokines is recorded later — only 3 hours after exposure, while it is significantly lower than in animals of group II at all studied periods. Thus, intoxication with hydrogen chloride leads to a slower development of pulmonary edema and an increase in the content of both pro (interleukins-1β, 6) and anti-inflammatory cytokines (interleukin-10, interferon-γ) in the bronchial-alveolar lavage fluid compared to animals, exposed to chlorine intoxication.