Analytical chemistry using electrophoresis has been applied to a study of rats' responsiveness to environmentally persistent free radicals (EPFRs).
EPFRs have been identified in ultrafine particulate matter created through combustion and may be linked with asthma, say researchers from Louisiana State University and Yale University School of Medicine.
In their analytical chemistry procedure, they used differential two-dimensional electrophoresis to identify 16 proteins expressed to varying extents between the control group and rats exposed to combustion generated ultrafine particles.
Among the latter group, up-regulation of a number of proteins was seen, leading to pulmonary oxidative stress in neonatal rats and, ultimately, lung dysfunction.
In the introduction to their report, the scientists argue that the presence of EPFRs in combustion particulate matter represents "a potentially unrecognised risk factor for the development or exacerbation of asthma".
The periodical covers reviews, hypotheses and experimental data arising from studies of particles, fibres and their toxicological effects.
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