Figure 3

Ge-imogolites induce a persistent inflammatory and fibrotic lung response. Wistar rats were intra-tracheally instilled with NaCl (controls), 2 mg crocidolite, 0.2 and 1 mg SW and DW Ge-imogolites. Inflammatory and fibrotic parameters were measured after 60 d. (A) Total proteins in BALF. BAL number of (B) total cells, (C) macrophages, (D) neutrophils and (E) lymphocytes. (F) OH-proline lung content, measured in lung homogenates. *P < 0.05, **P < 0.01 and ***P < 0.001 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).