Effects of the inhalation of catalytically active metallic oxide fumes on rabbits

Abstract

SummaryIn our earlier paper, the intravenous injection of Zn O into rabbits, prepared by heating metallic zinc at 1 000 0 C, resulted in rising body temperature of rabbits It is our postulation that the semiconductor shows properties of an oxidative catalyst in the blood, suggesting that the inhalation of catalytically active metallic oxide fumes, a semiconductor, can cause metal fume fever Catalytically active metallic oxide fumes were produced by heating within the proper temperature range and their absorbing CO, forming the basic semiconductor, and their inhalation by rabbits resulted in metal fume fever.Rabbits were exposed to various kinds of metal fumes containing a trance of CO, which were heated at the proper temperature Changes in their body temperature and leucocyte count were observed Samples used Mg O, Zn, Zn O and Pb.The results are as follows:1 The fever development depends upon the effect of metal fumes absorbed CO rather than the metal fume concentration.2 N-type semiconductors such as Mg O, Zn O and Pb O having adsorbed CO, cumulative chemisorption, exhibit increased catalytical activation.3 In order to get properties as the semiconductor catalyst, it is necessary to heat metal fumes constantly at the activating temperature.4 The inhalation of only metal fumes does not cause fever development but does cause leucocytosis The fever development and the leucocytosis are clearly caused by inhalation of metal fumes having adsorbed CO and heated constantly within the correct temperature range Namely metal fume fever is caused by the inhalation of catalytically active metal fumes.

A Hyperlipidemic Rabbit Model Provides New Insights into Pulmonary Zinc Exposure Effects on Cardiovascular Health

“…No significant alteration in temperature was evident between groups, likely as a result of the route of exposure [27] or because of anesthesia, which causes hypothermia.…”

The Lung in Metal Fume Fever

“…60,61 Other researchers have suggested that zinc as well as certain other metals (such as magnesium), by acting as semiconductors, may serve to catalyze cellular responses directly. 62,63 This hypothesis has been supported by preliminary experimental animal studies showing a difference in response associated with zinc oxide fume with and without dopant materials that would modify its semiconducting potential. However, these preliminary experiments measured change in body temperature only and were apparently not pursued further.…”

“…Since the experiments of Lehmann, a variety of hypotheses have been invoked to explain the mechanism of metal fume fever, including theories that zinc may cause cytotoxic protein release, induce immunologic phenomena, or directly catalyze reactions. 6,48,49,[60][61][62][63] Lehmann originally proposed a hypothesis that zinc, through potential cytotoxicity to either the native cells of the respiratory tract or to bacteria colonizing the airways, caused release of "foreign" proteins that were absorbed, inducing a febrile response. 42 This hypothesis later fell into disfavor.…”