Role of single walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) on the airway smooth muscle

Abstract

The aim of this work was to evaluate the effects induced by single walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) on the airway smooth muscle tone, using an isolated rat tracheal rings model and monitoring nitric oxide (NO) as a possible mediator involved in the effects. Exposure of tracheal rings to SWCNTs did not modify the smooth muscle tone per se; however,when the ringswere pre-treated with the contractile agent acetylcholine (ACh), all SWCNTs concentrations (0.1-10 μg/mL) induced a transient contractile effect similar to that induced by ACh alone. Interestingly, the NO production was not modified by SWCNTs regardless of the presence of ACh 10 μM. Thus, the data suggest that NO is not involved in the airway smooth muscle contraction induced by SWCNTs. Further investigations are required to understand the effects, mediator(s) and mechanisms of action induced by this type of porous nanomaterial, as well as their fine interactions with the respiratory system structures.