Prevention of Ozonide-Induced Heinz Bodies in Human Erythrocytes by Vitamin E

Methyl oleate ozonide, a proposed intermediary in ozone intoxication, produced Heinz body inclusions in human erythrocytes at concentrations of from 10^?4 to 2×10^?3 M. Daily oral supplementation with either 100 mg or 200 mg of d-α- tocopheryl acetate prevented Heinz body formation by methyl oleate ozonide.

These observations suggest that the protective effects of vitamin E against ozone-produced toxicants occurs in man as well as in animals.     

Response of Cats to Inhaled Mixtures of SO2 and SO2-NaCl Aerosol in Air

Twenty healthy, adult male cats were lightly anesthetized with pentobarbital (Nembutal) sodium and tracheotomized; respiration was maintained by pump, Medical-grade breathing air, with or without sulfur dioxide alone or in combination with sodium chloride aerosol was delivered in predetermined exposure sequencer Pulmonary flow resistance and lung compliance were evaluated. Pollutants were also delivered via endotracheal catheter or face mask, or both. Approximately 20 ppm of SO₂ in air was required to evoke a significant change in pulmonary flow resistance in “reactors.” The majority of animals showed no response to this concentration of SO₂ either alone or with NaCl aerosol (10 mg/cu m). An increased frequency of significant changes in pulmonary flow resistance was suggested when pollutants were delivered via endotracheal catheter or face mask. All alterations in parameters of response were reversible shortly after exposure ceased.     

p-Amminobenzoic Acid as a Protective Agent in Ozone Toxicity

The ability of p-aminobenzoìc acid (PABA) to profeet against ozone toxicity was demonstrated in two experimental systems p-Aminobenzoic acid, and the related compounds p-aminohippuric acid and anthranïlïc acid, inhibited the ozone-induced loss of activity of the enzyme acetylcholinesterase in human erythrocytes exposed in vitro to 40 ppm of ozone. Protection in vivo was demonstrated In a study in which 15 rats injected intraperitoneally with 2 ml of 20 mM PABA prior to ozone exposure died in a mean of 426 minutes as compared to a mean of 261 minutes for 15 control animals similarly exposed to 15 ppm of ozone. These findings provide additional presumptive evidence of the importance of free radicals in the mechanism of ozone toxicity. They further suggest that PABA and related compounds warrant exploration as possible protective agents in susceptible populations exposed to significant photochemical air pollution.     

Diabetes in Industry

A survey of diabetics in the Du Pont Company was made in 1957, and again in 1963. The first survey revealed 408 diabetics, and the second one, 662. In each study, the diabetics were compared with an equal number of matched controls. All sybjects were given periodic health examinations by company physicians.