Fig. 2

Fractional [¹⁰⁵Ag]Ag retention after intratracheal inhalation of [¹⁰⁵Ag]AgNP in the total lungs, the lavaged lungs and BAL between 0.75 h and 28 days p.e. In panel a: the retention of intratracheally inhaled [¹⁰⁵Ag]AgNP and their degradation products in the total lungs between 0.75 h and 28 days are shown on a linear scale; in panel b: the recoveries in BALC and BALF and in trachea & bronchi are shown on a log scale. The data are given as fractions of ILD. Data are given as mean ± SEM, n = 4 rats/time-point. The mean ILD in mass (number) of [¹⁰⁵Ag]AgNP of all five retention time points is 25.6 ± 6.9 μg (7.94 ± 3.24•10¹¹ #). Data in both panels are corrected for [¹⁰⁵Ag]AgNP and their degradation products retained in the residual blood volume of the lungs. Note, the independent evaluation of the measurements of two groups of rats used for each of the dissection time points at 0.75 h and 24 h p.e., are highly reproducible for each time point and do not reveal statistical differences (see the table of statistical analyses below). In the graphs data points of both groups of rats at 0.75 h and 24 h are set slightly apart from each other for easier distinction. Statistical one-way ANOVA analysis with the post-hoc Bonferroni test in between all time-points is given in the matrix below