Nickel sulfate induces location-dependent atrophy of mouse olfactory epithelium: protective and proliferative role of purinergic receptor activation.

ABSTRACT: Exposure to nickel sulfate (NiSO(4)) leads to impaired olfaction and anosmia through an unknown mechanism. We tested the hypothesis that ATP is released following NiSO4-induced injury and that ATP promotes regenerative cell proliferation in the olfactory epithelium (OE). Male Swiss Webster mice were intranasally instilled with NiSO(4) or saline followed by ATP, purinergic receptor antagonists, or saline. We assessed the olfactory epithelium for NiSO(4)-induced changes using histology and immunohistochemistry 1-7 days postinstillation and compared results to olfactory bulb ablation-induced toxicity. Intranasal instillation of NiSO(4) produced a dose- and time-dependent reduction in the thickness of turbinate OE. These reductions were due to sustentacular cell loss, measured by terminal dUTP

SUBMITTER: Jia C 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2871758 | biostudies-literature | 2010 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature